No compromise on national interests, says Marriyum

Says defence ministry, FO have given clear policy statements

ISLAMABAD: A day after the Indian government warned Islamabad of ‘dire consequences’ for bilateral relations if Pakistan went ahead with the execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav, a self-confessed spy, the Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said there would be no compromise on national interests.

Speaking to the media following the federal cabinet meeting, the information minister said that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had given a policy statement before the Senate and Foreign Office had also given its stance in clear terms.



Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, in the same vein stated that Jadhav was awarded a sentence under the law of the land and nobody could claim that he was being victimised.

“Any foreign national involved in subversive activities would have been given the same punishment as awarded to the Indian officer,” he added.

In regard to the federal cabinet meeting, the information minister also revealed that the cabinet had given approval to 21 memorandums of understanding with different countries.

Marriyum said that in view of rapidly growing urbanisation, the government would facilitate the low income groups meeting their housing needs.



In this regard the cabinet gave approval for the constitution of a sub-committee comprising minister for housing (chair), minister for planning, minister for railways, minister for Safron, principal secretary to PM, secretary finance and representatives of State Bank and National Bank to make a detailed plan on housing within 10 days and present it in the next cabinet meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th, 2017.