NEW YORK: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal says that he does not see any threat to democracy in Pakistan.
Talking to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz workers and journalists at the residence of his party’s president in New York, Roil Dar, recently, he asserted that the PML-N government would complete the second term of the democratic order without any hindrance.
Referring to recent differing statements on the national economy by the army, the minister said the matter had been sorted out and that he had no intention to offend anyone.
Mr Iqbal spoke out as a statement on the state of economy had been reported that was at odd with what he was telling World Bank and IMF officials during his Washington meetings.
He said that Pakistan’s economy was on the upswing as the country was pursuing the most investor-friendly policies in the region. He claimed that Pakistan was now rated as the 5th fastest growing economy in the world, adding that the country had made remarkable progress in the macroeconomic sector as a result of prudent fiscal policies of the PML-N government.
He said various major economic projects were under way in the country that would generate business opportunities for foreign investors in coming years.
He, however, conceded that Pakistan’s economy suffered to the tune of over $8 billion in the stock market after disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court.
Mr Iqbal said he had great respect for the country’s security agencies, adding that they were making enormous sacrifices for the establishment of peace in the country.
He said security situation in the country had improved considerably after successful military operations in tribal areas as well as other parts of the country.
The minister said relations between Pakistan and the United States were improving, especially after Pakistani troops rescued an American-Canadian family from the captivity of militants.
Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2017
