KARACHI, July 8: The federal minister for information and broadcasting, Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, has said Pakistan desires to resolve all outstanding problems with India including the core issue of Kashmir with a spirit of amity, reconciliation and good atmosphere.
He was talking to newsmen after the launching ceremony of Khalil Nanitalwala's book " Haalat-o-Waqiat" at a local hotel on Thursday. The minister, who was the chief guest on the occasion, regretted that India was taking a rigid stance on the issue, however, saying it should not be taken notice of at the moment.
Mr Rashid pointed out that India had substantially enhanced its defence budget, but he added: " We are not afraid of such an increase by India in its defence budget." He also made it very clear that Pakistan was not oblivious to its defence, and that it understood the significance of such a vital issue.
He further said that resolution of all outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India should be on the negotiating table. While speaking of the by-polls being contested by Shaukat Aziz, Mr Rashid expressed confidence that the senator would emerge victorious in the by-elections from both constituencies of NA-229 in Tharparker and NA-59 in Attock.
He pointed out that his present visit to Karachi was in connection with the NA-229 by-election. He pointed out that the propaganda against the by- election on NA-229 was meaningless.
The federal minister invited the international media, as well as NGOs to come and see that the elections would be held in a free and fair manner. Mr Rashid said the country had already tested industrialists and feudal lords; and now an economist was coming to the fore with the entire nation looking towards him.
Replying to another question, he described President Pervez Musharraf's visits to Sweden and Finland as very successful, adding that they would help contribute towards investment in Pakistan and development of its hi-tech industry.
Replying to another question, he said before August 18, there seemed no need for expansion in the cabinet. A real cabinet would come to the fore after August 18, he added. About the policies of President Musharraf, Sheikh Rashid said these were very much in the interest of the country and best suited Pakistan.
He said he was completely convinced that Pakistan would make rapid progress, adding it was the farsightedness and sagacity of President Musharraf that Pakistan had come out of a difficult period, which would have otherwise been very difficult for a traditional politician to deal with.
While, after some two months time with Shaukat Aziz as Prime Minister, Pakistan would further progress and become stronger. Expressing confidence in Shaukat Aziz, Mr Rashid said after assuming the office of Prime Minister, he (Aziz) would successfully deal with all main problems being faced by the country including that of poverty, unemployment, and law and order.
Speaking of Pakistan's foreign policy, he said: " Pakistan is a strong country of the Islamic World, and it was pursuing an independent foreign policy without taking dictation from anyone."
Earlier, speaking as the chief guest at the ceremony, Shaikh Rashid urged writers, intellectuals get more active in the nation-building process. He praised the writing style of Mr Nanitalwala and said that he was well versed in international affairs, as well as, social events. Prominent industrialist S.M. Muneer, resident editor of daily Nawa-i-Waqt, Karachi Munir Hussain, and writer Khalil Ahmed Nanitalwala also spoke. - APP
