Quashing rumours, Ahsan Iqbal says elections in August next year

Interior minister denies differences among state institutions

KARACHI: The government will complete its tenure on June 4 and general elections will be held in August next year, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal asserted on Tuesday.

Addressing the book launching ceremony of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shah Mehmood Shah at Arts Council, the minister denied any differences between the government and other institutions and refuted rumours about early polls.

“The government and army are on the same page and there is no ambiguity on it. The spokesperson for armed forces has already clarified it, so we should avoid creating fuss on it,” he said, adding that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had created resentment among Pakistan’s enemies who were trying to derail the project through various tactics.

“The government has foiled all nefarious designs of the terrorists and the country’s people are standing by the army and government for its sovereignty and integrity,” he said. “With CPEC, Pakistan will have access to China and Central Asian countries and emerge as a powerful country. Democratic dispensation in the country is necessary to achieve this.”



Referring to the past, he said, “We were at the verge of collapse and Pakistan was earlier considered a dangerous country. But this government has changed this image and made the country an emerging economic power of Asia.” He was of the view that today’s Pakistan was entirely different from 2013.

The minister said Karachi’s law and order situation was worst in 2013, but now the old glory of the “city of lights” had been revived. “Peace has returned to Karachi and it is now one of the peaceful cities of the world,” he said, giving the credit to the army, Rangers and police for rendering scarifies for maintaining law and order in the city and other parts of the country.

“I salute the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the country,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s youth were always ready to put their lives at stake to save the country. “Looking at the passion of our youth, we have come to the conclusion that no force can defeat Pakistan,” he said. “Our vision is to make the country an Asian Tiger,” he said, adding that the nation was on way to achieving the target.

Iqbal added that after the 18 Amendment, powers had been devolved to the provinces, so it was their responsibility to bring reforms in the education, health and transport sectors and ensure law and order. Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo and the writer of the book also spoke.