RAWALPINDI, May 17: Apropos news item published in Dawn on May 14, captioned “Campaign against illegal arms soon”, the interior ministry has clarified that no loss of billions of rupees was caused to national exchequer during the de-weaponizaion campaign.

It further states that remarks attributed to the Balochistan chief secretary about the failure of the campaign were not true.

The report of expenditure of billions of rupees incurred on the campaign by the interior ministry was false and exaggerated, the interior ministry statement said.

In fact, the federal cabinet, while approving the arm control policy in 2001, had approved Rs35 millions for publicity purpose, it said. Against this, only Rs18.2 million was spent on publicity campaign over the last two years.

The reporter stands by his story as it had not been mentioned that the money was spent alone on the publicity campaign. While regarding remarks attributed to the Balochistan chief secretary the statement had been given by the officer at an inter-provincial meeting on law and order, and his remarks are very much part of the minutes of the meeting available with the reporter.