Ministry of Interior Pakistan

Afridi vows to push ahead with anti-encroachment drive in Capital

ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (APP):Minister of State for Interior,  Shehryar Khan Afridi, vowing to rid Capital of land grabbers, on Monday said anti-encroachment drive would continue as per rules and regulation.

Talking to media-persons here at Bahria Enclave where Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration and Police conducted operation, said 65 illegal commercial structures had been demolished while 514 kanal state land has been retrieved. 

The Minister, who personally supervised the drive, said all legal formalities were being fulfilled adding W"e are moving forward as a team." 

He said CDA had issued many notices to Bahria Enclave and eventually anti-encroachment operation was launched to demolish illegal structures and retrieving encroached land. 

Afridi said Prime Minister Imran Khan had clear directions that no action would be taken against innocent persons. 

"We would not allow any encroacher at any cost to grab state land. Action will also be taken against those who facilitated the land mafia," he said and added it would be responsibility of Bahria Enclave administration to compensate the affected persons. 

"No one is above law and there would be no compromise on national interest. This is called New Pakistan as action is being taken against those, trying to make state within state," he said this while replying to a question.

Pakistan's youth capable of competing at all levels: Shehryar Afridi

LAHORE, Nov 26 (APP)::Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi on Monday said youth of the country had the ability to compete at all levels in the world.

Addressing the 2nd International Youth Summit, organized by the University of Lahore (UOL) here, he appreciated the efforts of UOL administration for holding such an event which would provide 

opportunities to the youth in promoting cultural and social aspects.

The minister said the youth's participation in decision making regarding social, cultural and economic affairs was very important for the bright future of the country.

He said such events would bring peace and harmony besides involving the youth to think and work for betterment of the country.

Shehryar Khan Afridi urged the youth to work for humanity, adding, "We need to study humanity because without reading humanity you can not make an impact."

It was needed to portray genuine picture of the country before the world, he said and added that misconceptions or negativity should be ended.

The minister said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan was committed to promote humanity and highlight sacrifices given for humanity as it was the main objective of any civilized nation.

He said youth had played an important role to bring about a real change in the country and contributed towards building "Naya Pakistan".

"We should promote peace in the globe and respect each others norms, values and cultures. We need to fight against all those odds which affect the humanity," he said.

UOL Chairman Awais Rauf, Senator Sana Jamali, Punjab University former vice-chancellor Mujahid Kamran, youth delegations from various countries including Malaysia, Turkey, China, Indonesia and others participated in the conference.

Shehryar stresses collective efforts for protecting, strengthening national security

ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi Thursday said the elements, who damaged the beloved country would be dealt with an iron hand and collective efforts are needed for protecting and strengthening national security. Addressing a conference titled 'National Security, Nation Building and Mass Media', organized by Pakistan Institute of Conflict and Security Studies, he said, the government is accountable to its deeds, enough is enough, we must put our house in order by engaging all key stakeholders, making accountable to vested interests, who inflicted innumerable damages to the country's repute. 

He said the government was planning to engage country's 70 percent youth aged between 18 to 35 years in nation building activities, attract foreign direct investment (FDI) for reviving the economy. He 

urged media to avoid flashing the news having potential to damage national interest and create chaos in the country. 

The US media avoid highlighting Chicago despite having highest crime ratio in the world. Likewise minorities are in pathetic condition in India but Indian media is silent over the issue.

He said Media should better launch a campaign against the responsible of looting billion of rupees in name of safe city project. We have miserably failed to ensure check and balances among media and other institutions as some vested interests including so called leaders were also indulged in defaming their own country.  He quoted the example of Ajmal Kasab,who was owned by the government of that time. 

"Why media avoided launching campaign against plunderers of billion of rupees in the name of national security. Media did not give importance to news stories of the incarcerated Dr Aafia Siddique and exaggerate news relating to Aasia Masih," he said. 

He lamented that the former governments did not devised a policy regarding registration of International Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs). He said the government has decided to launch an across the globe campaign urging the world to avoid insulting or defaming sacred personalities of all religions . Government has firm resolve to promote and strengthen civil, military coordination. 

Introduce reforms in seminaries as four million students are studying in 32,000 religious seminaries.He said unfortunately National Action Plan was not implemented in letter and spirit which resulted in disorder in the country. The State Minister called for bringing the religious seminaries to the main stream to build a national narrative. He said now the country has changed and government will stand with law enforcement agencies (LAEs). The intelligence agencies, LEAs, civil and security institutions would work in cohesion that too only to protect national interest.

Afridi vows to revive full-fledged int'l cricket in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi on Tuesday vowed to revive international cricket in Pakistan to the fullest, saying Pakistanis love cricket from core of their hearts.

Speaking to media persons at tree plantation ceremony, organized by Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Islamabad United here at Lake View Park, he appreciated Islamabad United player Luke Ronchi for being part of the team and his presence in the event.

"We want to engage youth in good initiatives being taken including tree plantation, which is need of the hour," he said.

Shehryar Afridi termed PSL's Fourth Edition Payer Draft in Federal Capital as "a big achievement," saying efforts of the government are bearing fruit and it would send a message of peace to the world and portray a soft image of Pakistan.

The minister said the PSL would go a long way as it is a part of National Security Plan to revive a full-fledged cricket in Pakistan.

Pakistan has offered unprecedented sacrifices in war against terror and to ensure peace in the country. Pakistan is a sovereign country and it needs no certificate from anyone to decide its matters in its own national interest, he said.

Responding to a question on US President Donald Trump's statement concerning Pakistan, Afridi said,"Our Prime Minister Imran Khan has given a clear-cut stance of the government in this regard.

The minister said Rabi-ul-Awal is a month of blessings and the Rehmat-ul-Lil-Alameen (SAW) conference is being arranged in Islamabad in which people from all schools of thought are participating.

In his comments on the occasion, Islamabad United player Ronchi said it was honor for him to engage in tree plantation activity in Pakistan.

Owner of Islamabad United team, Ali Naqvi, Mayor Islamabad Shiekh Ansar Aziz, Deputy Mayor Zeeshan Ali Naqvi and Islamabad United Coach, Waqar Younis were also present on the occasion.

Later, Shehryar Afridi and other dignitaries planted a sapling. The minister was also presented a poster of Luke Ronchi by Islamabad United management.