Muzaffarabad, (Parliament Times) : Prime Minister Ch. Anwarul Haq has said that the main purpose behind the deployment of Punjab and Frontier Constabulary was to provide foolproof security to foreign engineers working on different hydropower projects in Azad Kashmir.
Speaking to the media representatives here today Prime Minister Haq said that a strong, stable, and Roshan Pakistan was the greatest eyesore for India. “India does not want the benefits of cheap electricity generated from the AJK to reach the people of Azad Kashmir and Pakistan”, he said. He said that when it comes to the law and order situation in the region the AJK police were fully capable of handling it on their own and there was no need to drag the Punjab or FC into it. “Azad Kashmir Police are sufficient to maintain law and order under any circumstances”, he added.”Holding peaceful protest is indeed a democratic and fundamental right of every citizen but the government cannot allow anyone to take the law into his or her hands under its guise”, the PM said, adding that maintaining law and order in the state was the government’s responsibility. “Who is responsible if any external agent intrudes into the protest of the Public Action Committee and causes damage?”, he asked.
“The government must protect the life and property of ordinary citizens including the protesters”, the PM said. The government, he said, cannot compromise on the protection of life, honor, and dignity of the citizens of the state. The PM said that the government wants to resolve all issues through negotiations thereby engaging with representatives of the Action Committee. Referring to the Action Committee leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir’s statement, he said that Mr. Mr had admitted that ninety-nine percent of the issues between the government and the Committee have been settled. Prime Minister Haq reiterated that his government wanted to find a permanent solution to the problems being faced by the people of Azad Kashmir. “We can use our hydel potential to generate 300 to 400 MW electricity and provide relief to the public”, he said, adding that the rule of law and justice were key to real development.
The Prime Minister, while stressing the need for responsible journalism, said that the journalist fraternity must strictly adhere to the principles of journalism to counter the spread of disinformation. Irresponsible reporting should end. He said that a half-truth is even more dangerous than a lie.
