RAWALPINDI: Vice-Admiral A.R. Khan, Minister for Defence and Home Affairs, today [Nov 18] said that it was natural for world leaders to have expressed their gratification at the failure of the attempt on President Ayub’s life in Peshawar eight days ago.

In an interview with [the agency] ... the Home Affairs Minister pointed out also that the Press all over the world underlined the grave and tragic consequences which would have followed if the sinister attempt at Peshawar had succeeded.

He added: “The President’s principal concern always has been to work for the unity of the people, and his most cherished desire is to work for the integrity, security and socio-economic development of Pakistan. ... As elections are approaching, various political persons are trying to establish a platform for themselves. It is perfectly legitimate for persons interested in politics to have their own organisations and programmes. What is regrettable is that attempts are being made by some of them to work for the forces of reaction ... by making emotional appeals to regionalism and by exploiting all kind of grievances.”

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2018