LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Saturday that the government will never write a letter to Swiss courts as it understood that it was a waste of time.
Awan, who was speaking to the media after the inauguration ceremony of a sports gala, said that writing a letter would be “the trial of the graves of martyrs”. She also said that the Swiss cases had already been declared “fake” and the decision to not write a letter was final.
The information minister also denied rumours that Pakistan had reopened land or air Nato supply routes, stating that “this is a perception that has nothing to do with reality.”
Awan added that if the Parliament allowed reopening of Nato supply routes, then the government would do so too.
On talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, she said that his concerns on supply routes were only related to school supplies that entered Afghanistan through Pakistan and had been disrupted since the shipments were stopped at Karachi.
Awan also said that US congressman Dana Rohrabacher’s resolution pertaining to the independence of Balochistan was an open violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity and had tarnished the sovereignty of the country.
COMMENTS (35)
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@Ehsan Malik
This is the fear of most Pakistani's......but the uneducated masses tend to think short term rather than long term. If everyone thought about the country rather than themselves, then Pakistan would be a much better place
@Aamer Khwaja
I totally support your statement.
If Imran Khan wants to be seen as honest and different from the other big parties then he must accept court orders against his party members. If he becomes ignorant and tries to cover their tracks, I will be the first to protest. A politician is meant to be a servant of his people, not toact like a crooked businessman.
Keeping 80% of population jahil is in the interest of these so-called politicians.
She is Information Minister and she is an imp part of the govt, every word coming out of her mouth must be taken seriously. Having said that, these ppp guys doesnt seem to be aware of this and thats why they back track from every statement after a couple of weeks... Lets see when does she gives an explanation that she didnt meant what ppl thought and she respect the courts :)
Isn't she the same lady who cried and wept in a Cabinet meeting saying that nobody in her department obeys her instructions or orders !Now we know why her subordinates did not take her seriously. She should be arrested for obstruction of Justice and Contempt of the SC.
One the next govt comes, they can fix ticket price for jiyalas to visit graves and mausoleum of martyrs. That way those corrupt people can repay the stolen wealth of Pakistan.
I assume the Honourable Minister is not stating her "educated guess", rather she is stating her and her government's firm resolve. Doesn't this constitute an unquestionable Contempt of Court?
yes.. because we do not Swiss language and they do not understand Urdu.. end of discussion.
@Khalid: you wish alot my dear And well said Ms... keep it up
It would be shame on pakistani people if they ever elected these jokers again.
Swiss country is developed with the looted money from third world countries. First the Supreme Court should write a letter to Swiss authorities to know whether they will oblige Pakistan and reveal the account details if Pak government writes a letter from highest office. I am afraid we will never get required information from Swiss authorities.
@Ahmad: Though your comment is not worth replying, but the incident was clarified on its happening about a year (more or less) ago. Ministry protocole officer gave in-correct time schedule to the minster, who was in a cabinet meeting, but as soon as she knew, left the meeting mid-way to see the delegation. Concerned officer was apprehended for this blunder.
@Khalid: In that case he will also have to put a lot of PTI members in jail.
To create respect and not fear, it is imperative that judiciary stays within its bounds and do not create a matter of pride and insult. Pakistan needs all institutions to become a chain of governance and not become two or three chains of governance. This matter should have been settled within Pakistan and after the defendant is not a PM or President.
Richest man leads poorest nation in the world! He won't be trialed ever!
i have one answer for this lady you better get ready for 2 judgement days 1 when IK becomes PM and than the real deal on ALLAH'S JUDGEMENT DAY
Well done. You are right. Better to shut down these courts & allow every Pakistani to have their own justice... Why to bother about the future.. just live in the present & GOVERN on this helpless nation. This is exactly the dream of every Pakistani politician...
Good----don't waste time-----don't insult the graves of anyone! Like such 'cut & dry' decision and going public with it---- and I, for one, tend agreeing with the government.
How much time have you wasted fighting this issue --- if the Swiss consider it a dead issue the why not write the freaking letter and end the matter. You can bet money the next administration is going to write the letter and this matter isn't going to end with your news conference.
@Ahmad: The behavior of Chinese indicates that they have already assumed the role of masters of Pakistan. How can some one make the boss wait? Reminds me of those days of history when British officials behaved in a similar manner towards the Moghul Kings and Nawabs.
Has PPP goverment ever did any Decent work for the Betterment of Pakistan???Whats the Big News??
Madam, you and your government have done nothing but waste time during the past 4 years. Wasting a little more time out of your busy schedule of playing musical chairs with the poor people of pakistan should not be an issue. Openly disobeying supreme court orders like this will create nothing but anarchy, perhaps the real agenda of this govt. After all, democracy is indeed the best revenge, against ones own people!
Today we need to think of those who gave their lives for independence from the British. Toady we cannot face the truth, WHY ?. Not writing the letter is no act of bravery, it is an insult to our culture that our forefathers gave us.
Whats the story in this news? was it shocking ??
We know that already. Grab whatever you want to now because in a few months time, your game will be over once and for all, Inshallah. The IK led government will put you and your boss in jail for the corruption and plunder you have done in my beloved country and taxpayers like me will finally be relieved to see that my hard earned, legitimate money will not be going to Swiss banks or Ittefaq foundries.
We've got all the time in the world.
Every single Pakistani should start dis-obeying court orders as they are waste of time .. All these people need to be behind the bars for labeling SC orders a waste of time. The question isn't what Switzerland will do after receiving the letter or whether President has immunity or not .. its a case of not obeying court orders.
And people of Pakistan will never let your go this way.
Well done! bb minister , are you to join the prime minister in jail.
seriously, who comes up with stuff like "the trial of the graves of martyrs"? if you dont hesitate to confer posthumous awards and honors (naming (mostly renaming) every road, hospital, airport etc ), you shouldnt be that averse to a lil posthumous justice...just saying..
The government still has the option to write a love letter to the swiss courts just to satisfy the SC
Honorable minister should apologize to that Chinese delagation who was forced to wait more than 1-1/2 hour for a meeting with her some months back. The delgation left in protest without meeting.
Excuses Excuses!
If Imran Khan became PM of Pakistan, I would request him to freeze and sell the assets of these corrupt politicians and throw them all in jail and throw the key away.