There’s greatness in forgiving: Pervaiz Rashid
ISAMABAD: The Federal Minister for Information, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, on Thursday said shutting down a TV channel was no solution if it had made a mistake.
“We want to see the media getting stronger,” the minister said while speaking at a seminar held under the aegis of Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) here.The minister contended that in the past, nations had made mistakes and on tendering an apology, they were forgiven as a token of magnanimity.
He came down heavily on the PTI Chairman Imran Khan for his strong opposition to the ongoing military action against the terrorists in North Waziristan.“Imran Khan calls the army’s war of defence of Pakistan as the war of the US. He should tell the nation whose war the Taliban are waging on Pakistan,” the minister asserted.
Imran had more than once declared to stand behind the army in case of a military operation against the Taliban but to the shock of many, the other day in a news conference here he said efforts were being made to separate North Waziristan from Pakistan while referring to the targeted action against the TTP.
Senator Rashid predicted doom for the PTI even in the next general election and said at that time also, Imran would allege that he was defeated through rigging.He pointed out that Imran had organised public meetings in Islamabad and Faisalabad but never bothered to visit the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where his own party was in power.
If Imran, he noted, had no time to stay in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and administer polio drops to children, then why should people vote for his party.“Imran was defeated in the polls because of his irresponsible statements,” he said.
Three chief ministers, he noted, were independent in their working while the fourth one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was always seen heading towards Bani Gala.The minister asked if Imran had bothered to inquire after those injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Senator Rashid said Imran had no objection if the road leading to Bani Gala was constructed but he would oppose the building of a motorway. Imran has his sprawling residence in Bani Gala, near the Rawal Lake.
The minister alleged Imran was controlling the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government while sitting in Bani Gala.He criticised PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and senior leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid and questioned what had been their contribution to Pakistan.
The minister talked about various power projects being launched to overcome power loadshedding. He made a mention of the key decision of eliminating secret and discretionary funds.
To a question, the minister made it clear that they could not support Imran’s demand for closing down a media group. He said the PTI chief was out to weaken the powerful media whereas the government wanted to see it gaining further strength.The minister emphasized that media persons should also use their camera, pen and mike with caution and responsibility.
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