Minister backtracks on remarks against ASF DG

Says he never knew the incumbent official belonged to a security force

ISLAMABAD:

In what could said to be an “astonishing change of stance” after launching scathing criticism against the director general of Airport Security Force (ASF),  Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel on Wednesday said that his statement was taken “out of context” and he never meant to “hurt feelings of anyone”.

It all started when Patel told the National Assembly that a few days ago, he was pushed by the security officials at the Islamabad airport as they tried to make way for the DG ASF.

The minister said that he was accompanied by federal ministers Shazia Marri and Abid Hussain Bhayo.

Narrating his “ordeal”, Patel said that as they came from a flight, they saw 25-30 people running frantically at the Islamabad airport.

“We came to know that somebody was coming but it was neither the president nor the premier,” he said.

Expressing his annoyance, Patel said that despite being federal ministers, they were pushed back to make way for “somebody special” who was coming.

“His protocol was not less than a president or a prime minister. When we asked who he is we were told that DG (ASF) was on his way,” he said.

“When we asked why we were being maltreated, we were told that the DG was coming (and a protocol was in place for him).”

The minster stated that a convoy of cars with hooters blown arrived to pick the DG ASF and “we stood in fear that nobody shoot us”.

However, later, Patel in a video message clarified that his statement was taken out of context.

“I never knew that he (DG ASF) belonged to a security force or was a serving officer. For security institutions, we have a principle stance that they sacrifice their future for our present and are the frontline of the country.”

Patel said they respected the security institutions and also wanted security for them, adding that the never wanted to hurt the feelings of anyone.