No-trust move shakes the foundation of a country: Rashid

Minister says PDM should reconsider their long march scheduled for March 23

ISLAMABAD:

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Wednesday has said that a no-trust move “shakes the foundation of a country” and isn’t an easy task.

The minister made the remarks during a function at the National Institute of Fire and Technology in Islamabad. He was referring to the opposition parties’ talks of moving a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The minister maintained that the opposition parties had failed in their agenda against the PTI government and that the no-trust motion being proposed by them still had a long way to go.

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Speaking about the ongoing Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) anti-government march, Rashid reiterated that he remained unconcerned about it but said that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) should reconsider their long march scheduled on March 23 as Pakistan Day celebrations will be underway.

He said that a fleet of 25 J17C planes will have a “fly-past” on March 23 and that there will be a “historic parade” on March 22 and 23.

Foreign policy

Additionally, the minister stated that Pakistan was moving towards a more neutral foreign policy under the leadership of PM Imran.

He stated that the country should aim to organise itself further on matters of foreign relations.

Relief package

Commenting on the premier’s recent relief package announcement, Rashid said that the poor people of the country were given relief for the “first time”.

“Now, the prices of oil and sugar should also be lowered,” he remarked.

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The minister claimed that the opposition was speaking against poor people getting relief by criticising the subsidy package.

It is pertinent to note that on Tuesday the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that the PTI government's desperate relief plan fiasco will further destroy the national economy, burden the people with more taxes and make the future of Pakistan bleaker.

Civil defence

Speaking at the occasion, Rashid also stated the performance of civil defence was exemplified during the October 8 earthquake, the Ojhri camp and the 1965 war.

He hoped that the youth will be trained in civil defence in colleges and that introductory programmes will be conducted in all four provincial capitals for it.

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“No disaster comes knocking at the door, we must always be ready to deal with war, natural disasters and other challenges,” he said.

The minister further added that foreign training should be available for civil defence personnel and that its officers should be equipped with modern technology.