Rashid sees PTI govt in Sindh after next polls

Minister rules out early elections, says they will be held on time

RAWALPINDI:

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Saturday predicted that the PTI would win the next general elections in Sindh, defeating the PPP in the province as the party was gaining foothold across the country.

Talking to the media, the minister said the PTI had won the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections with an overwhelming majority and would form its government in the region.

“The party already has its governments in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Punjab,” he added.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan would announce the names of the AJK prime minister and its cabinet members.

The minister also maintained that the current government would complete its tenure and the next general elections would be held on time in 2023.

“[Rival] politicians, who are claiming that the next elections would be held in eight months, should understand that the PTI is in a better position now.”

The minister said the government wanted to install 500 cameras for surveillance in all areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as both the cities were “very sensitive”.

On Pakistan’s ties with China, the minister said Islamabad had a long and strong relationship with Beijing and no world power could create any misunderstanding between the two countries.

“The Pakistani nation is committed to its ties with China as it is a time-tested and trusted friend of the country. Some world powers are trying to create misunderstandings between Pakistan and China to sabotage CPEC [China Pakistan Economic Corridor] but THE project would be completed at all costs.”

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To another question, Rashid said the taxi drivers, who were detained in the case of the Afghan ambassador’s daughter, had been released as they were innocent and not involved in any kidnapping.

“There was no evidence against them,” he added.

To a question, the minister said Sindh’s decision to impose a lockdown would be counter-productive.

“The Sindh government should impose smart lockdowns to control the spread of the coronavirus as they had given the desired results.”

The minister further said the world had appreciated PM Imran’s concept of smart lockdowns.

He urged citizens to follow the instructions of the health authorities and the standard operating procedures (SOPs) announced by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to contain the pandemic.

Referring to the firing outside 'Lal Haveli' day earlier, the minister said he had survived such attempt son his life in the past.

“Five of my neighbors lost their lives while protecting my life."

On education, the minister said two universities of women were set up in Rawalpindi while another college for women (Waqar-un-Nisa) would be upgraded to a university.

On the recent heavy rainfall, Rashid said the administration including the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, Rescue-1122, police, army troops and other departments concerned were on high alert to deal with any situation particularly in low lying areas of the city during monsoon rains.

“In case of any emergency, all available resources would be utilised to help and facilitate the citizens, he added.

(With input from APP)