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| 09 February 2004 | Monday | 17 Zilhaj 1424 |
India, others must keep out of pardon issue: PM - Opposition urged not to politicize proliferation
SUKKUR, Feb 8: Nuclear scientists' issue is Pakistan's internal matter and no one, including India, has a right to interfere in this regard
, says Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali.
Prime Minister said this while talking to the journalists at Sukkur airport on Sunday. Describing Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan as "our national hero", Prime Minister Jamali said that Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was a Pakistani citizen, and only the government of Pakistan was entitled to decide in this regard.
He said the federal cabinet's decision to accept his (Dr Khan's) plea for pardon was in accordance with Islamic ethics, adding the entire nation had appreciated the decision.
Prime Minister Jamali advised political parties, including those belonging to the opposition, not to politicize the issue. Describing the opposition's agitation in this regard as being invalid, he said: "What they are doing, I leave it to the people of Pakistan to decide."
He said that the government would tackle the matter without making a mess out of it if the opposition brought the matter in the National Assembly. Referring to possibilities of changes in the federal cabinet, Prime Minister Jamali said that the federal cabinet's extension could not be ruled out.
Later, Prime Minister Jamali drove towards Wazirabad, native town of Federal Railways' Minister Ghous Bux Mahar, to attend his son's valima ceremony. He was accompanied by president of the PML-Q Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro.
Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Khan Mahar welcome the prime minister at Sukkur airport. Our Shikarpur correspondent adds: Prime Minister Jamali on Sunday advised politicians to avoid negative political tactics, saying agitation was not in the country's interest.
He said this while talking with journalists during the Valima function of Shaharyar Khan Mahar, son of Federal Minister for Railways Ghous Bux Khan Mahar here on Sunday.
Stressing the need for collective efforts for the country's solidarity and integrity, Prime Minister Jamali said that it was a national obligation, adding no one was above the law and nobody would be allowed to sabotage the peaceful atmosphere to achieve their political ends.
Referring to the MMA's protest over the scientists' issue, Prime Minister Jamali said that there was no need for a protest movement as all disputed issues, including the matter of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, had been settled, adding that other outstanding political problems were under the active consideration of the government and would be resolved soon.
Terming the law and order situation in the country satisfactory, the prime minister said strict measures were being taken to curb all kinds of criminal and terrorist activities to ensure peace and tranquillity besides providing protection to the people's life, honour and property, adding it was their democratic, legal and basic right.
Prime Minister Jamali reiterated the government's determination to utilize all resources for the well being of the masses, saying: "Efforts are being made to provide basic amenities to the people without any discrimination."
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