Iqbal plays down Sharifs’ visit to Saudi Arabia

Interior minister visits Bethel Methodist Church in Quetta, says militants want instability in Pakistan

QUETTA: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has played down the visit of PML-N leaders to Saudi Arabia, saying ministers, MNAs and MPAs frequently visit the kingdom, not necessarily for politics.

About the recent statement by Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique which was responded to DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor, Iqbal said, “Army has cleared its position in a press briefing and Khawaja Saad Rafique has also clarified his stance… so speculation should end now.”

He said that any further sit-ins and political chaos in the country would create uncertainty in Pakistan and terrorists could take benefit from political turmoil. He added that a destabilised Pakistan would be beneficial for the country’s enemies.



Iqbal shared his views while visiting the Methodist Church in Quetta which was recently targeted by terrorists. The minister was also briefed by IG Balochistan Police Muazzam Jah during his visit.

The interior minister, while denouncing the Church attack, said terrorists “do not belong to any religion or sect” and “this is why they have been targeting mosques, imambargahs, churches and other worship places”.

Accompanying Iqbal, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf also condemned the Church attack and applauded Christian community’s patience for peace in the country.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Iqbal inaugurated Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University’s Sub-Campus in District Pishin on Friday.

The minister, while talking to media-persons, said, “Peace and development in Pakistan is only possible when we educate our children” because poverty and deprivation could lead the country towards war.

“It is not the time for leg pulling, because we have already suffered a lot,” he said, adding that he was still inviting all stakeholders and political powers to join hands for development and prosperity of the future generations.

Iqbal was also accompanied by provincial minister Dr Hamid Achakzai, MPA Liaquat Agha, Vice Chancellor SBK Rukhsana Jabeen, DIG Quetta Abdul Razzaq Cheema, Deputy Commissioner Pishin Balach Aziz Baloch and others.