Govt believes in independent judiciary, free media: Malik
LAHORE: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday said the government believed in an independent judiciary and free media, and only parliament, judiciary and executive could steer the country out of the ongoing crisis.
He was addressing a gathering of lawyers after inaugurating Passport Office at the Lahore High Court Bar Association. He also announced issuance of Blue Passport for office bearers of bar associations and councils across the country and arm licenses of prohibited bore. The Nadra office for issuance of computerized national identity card (CNIC) would also be established in the bar soon, he added.
Malik said some particular anti state elements were rampant. However, the stability of the country was guaranteed in democracy. During the prevailing wave of terrorism, the state could not provide security to citizens on street level, he said, urging the nation to forget personal interests for the survival of the country.
He said there was no curb on the media and the freedom being enjoyed by it was a fruits of democracy in the country. “Whole credit of independent judiciary and media in country goes to President Asif Ali Zardari and his team.”
The interior minister also praised the role of lawyers for restoration of the judiciary and democracy and urged them to come forward for the solutions of the problems facing the country. He praised the Chief Justice of Pakistan and other judges for dispensing unhindered justice to people.
On LHCBA’s demand, the minister also announced that passports of 100 pages would be issued to lawyers on urgent basis but against regular fee.
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