SIALKOT: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has claimed that the people of tribal areas have rejected both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party and their policies.

Speaking at a press conference here on Sunday evening, she said democracy and democratic process had won after the peaceful, free, fair, impartial and transparent elections held in tribal districts, adding that this was the first time that Pakistan won in that region.

Dr Awan said there was no doubt that the people of tribal areas were also loyal and patriotic Pakistanis, adding that they defeated terrorism, militancy, insurgency and poverty by rendering sacrifices. Early establishment of durable peace in tribal areas was a top priority of the government that had “successfully” brought tribal people into mainstream after holding elections there.

Says PM’s US visit will promote Pakistan’s soft image

Dr Awan said the opposition’s no-confidence move against Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani would be knocked out and it would face a big defeat in the house over this issue. The ruthless accountability of all those who looted national wealth would continue unabated, she added. She said the politically mature people had strongly rejected the immature politics of the PML-N and PPP. “Now, they are crying to gather sympathies of the people in a bid to cover their massive corruption,” she added.

The special assistant said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to the United States would boost relations between the two countries. She said PM Khan had converted his visit into a people-to-people interaction from government-to-government contact, which was a great success for Pakistan. The premier’s address to a gathering of overseas Pakistanis would help promote the country’s soft image globally, she added.

Dr Awan said: “Prime Minister Khan is appearing before the world with the most credible face of Pakistan. He is a hero of Pakistan and the Pakistani nation, as he is representing the sentiments of the nation most effectively. PM Khan will also urge the overseas Pakistanis to come forward and play their pivotal role in economical stability of Pakistan by bringing maximum investment here.”

She claimed that Mr Khan had set an example of simplicity and saving by travelling to the US through a commercial flight, and the world was appreciating this act. Everyone should replicate this example of simplicity and saving, she added.

Dr Awan thanked the print and electronic media for giving positive and effective coverage to the prime minister’s visit to the US, calling the trip a national cause and saying that the media was playing a very responsible role. She said the government was ensuring complete freedom of the media as it firmly believed in the right to freedom of expression and speech.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2019