ISLAMABAD: The government on Monday assured parliamentarians that the military does not have any intention to derail the democratic system while the govt itself will not put any kind of ban on freedom of expression in the country.

This was stated by Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Lt Gen (Retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch in the National Assembly during a discussion on law and order situation in the country.

The minister said that the leadership of the army is in the hands of a professional chief while the recent statement of the army chief, regarding support for democracy, is a clear message to undemocratic powers in the country.

Baloch said that it is the responsibility of provincial governments to control the law and order situation in the provinces while the federal government is ready to support the provincial governments in this regard.

The minister admitted that the insurgency still continues in Balochistan while there is no sign of improvement in the province as yet.

He demanded that opposition parties support the government for approval of the PPO from the Upper House to counter terrorist activities in the country.

Baloch said the government will ensure that the attackers of journalist Hamid Mir would be arrested, while it is the duty of a media house to report responsibly.

Earlier, PTI Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi showed his concerns on the law and order situation in the country.

Qureshi said that it is the responsibility of the government to provide protection to its citizens especially journalists as Pakistan is included in the top five dangerous countries for the journalists as yet.

He also said that a ban on freedom of expression cannot be a solution to any problem and that a vibrant media is essential for the democratic culture of a country.

The PTI MNA said the media should play its role responsibly and that allegations made without evidence should be condemned.

“I am not sure that dialogue with the TTP will succeed, but incidents of terrorism have decreased since the process started,” Qureshi said.

Earlier, members of the MQM staged a walk out from the parliament in protest against the killings of party workers in Karachi.

MQM MNA Abdul Rashid Godil said that victimisation is still continuing in Karachi, while the government is not serious in answering reservations of his party on operations being conducted.