KARACHI: Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch asserted on Monday that there would be “no question of turning back” from recent position of actions against terrorism and corruption.

In a TV talk show, Mr Baloch emerged as the first federal minister to endorse the recent moves by law-enforcement agencies against corruption hours after PPP Co-Chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari accused the PML-N government of targeting leaders of his party in the name of accountability.

“If anyone has a doubt that there would be any compromise on recent action against terrorism and corruption, so let me tell you that there is no question of turning back,” he said.

Also read: Nawaz Sharif has reverted to revenge politics of the 90s: Zardari

“Dr Asim [Hussain, former federal minister and chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission] was arrested on serious allegations that included terror funding. The security agencies have enough evidence against him and if they [PPP] want those charges to be made public it can also be done.”

He supported the Rangers action and said the paramilitary force had authority to move if it had enough evidence against anyone. However, he said the government must ensure that no-one should be victimised.

“If Mr Zardari wants to abandon his policy of reconciliation and trigger a war, the PML-N would welcome the move. But one should understand that there is no question of turning back because the actions of law-enforcement agencies enjoy ownership of Pakistan’s people who support every move to bring peace and eliminate corruption,” said the minister.

Earlier, Mr Baloch met Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and exchanged views with him on the overall law and order situation in Sindh, including Karachi.

No official statement was issued after the meeting, but it is reliably learnt that the chief minister informed the federal minister about his reservations on “overstepping” by federal agencies in the affairs of the provincial government.

According to sources, they exchanged views on the arrest of Dr Asim Hussain. The chief minister termed such actions of the agencies’ interference in the provincial affairs and provincial autonomy and said his government had extreme reservations and the federal government should take notice of the situation.

The sources said the federal minister assured the chief minister that he would convey provincial government’s complaints to the prime minister.

They exchanged views on the law and order situation in the province with specific reference to Karachi.

The two leaders had a detailed discussion on registration and repatriation of Afghan refugees in Sindh, especially in Karachi, and agreed that all institutions concerned would formulate a policy with consultation.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play