Govt. committed to protect minorities rights: Shehryar Afridi

ISLAMABAD, Dec 20 (APP):Minister of State for InteriorShehryar Khan Afridi Thursday said the government had firm commitment to protect the rights of the minorities and urged the Christian community to play their role for the betterment of the country.

He was addressing as the chief guest here at a cake cutting ceremony to celebrate Christmas, organized by Full Gospel Assembly Church.

The minister said it was the religious duty of every Muslim and not just the government to protect and esteem the minorities they were living with.

"I have studied in the Convent School which has deep imprints on my personality and grooming and I am proud of my alma mater," he remarked.

He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government would continue to raise the voice of minorities at every international forum.

He said  in the New Pakistan everyone could practice his religion freely.

He said that some foreign forces were trying to destabilize Pakistan so it was our responsibility to work together for the better future of the country and there would be no compromise on the rights of minorities.

The minister said it was collective responsibility of everybody to maintain the repute of the country among the comity of nations. The the country would progress only when everybody though beyond personal conflicts and prejudices.

Law enforcers to be sensitized about rights of children

ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi Tuesday said that strict action would be taken against those putting the future of  next generation at risk and law enforcers would be sensitized about the rights of the children. 

He stated this while addressing the launching ceremony of child rights training program organized for policemen by National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) in collaboration with Islamabad Capital Territory Police. 

Primarily the main focus of the training is to enhance capacity building of Islamabad Police while dealing child rights at police stations in the Capital.

The training program is also aimed to create awareness and sensitize the police department for respect and protection of children rights. 

The State Minister said that force of youth would have to be set up in educational institutions for success in fifth generation warfare. 

He particularly focused on empowering the youth in order to bring them on the fore front to counter social evils.

"Some elements are trying to destroy our generation through involving them in use of narcotics but such mafia will have to face strict action," he added. 

He appealed the parents of the children not to give them such devices which are harmful to them and to check their activities on daily basis.

The minister said that a huge number of students are becoming drug addicts but we would fight against drug mafia to secure the future of our generation.

He ordered IGP to launch crackdown in educational institutions from where reports of drug use by students are received and take strict action against drug mafia.

Hinting towards land mafia in the city, he said that 6-7 persons have created an atmosphere of fear among the innocent citizens but strict action is underway against them.

Such people would be made a symbol and not to be spared, he added.

He was of the view that the Prime Minister of Pakistan has concurred to the demand of IGP Islamabad in making this Police as a role model for the whole country.

He further maintained that the government is fully backing the drive of the IGP Islamabad against drug mafia, land mafia, criminals and liquor mafia as a whole.

He said that the writ of the State would be established with iron hand by eliminating all these criminals once and for all and supremacy of law shall prevail throughout the country on equal basis.

He further maintained that vulnerable groups like children shall be equally respected and bonded labor will not be tolerated in our society.

He elaborated that the ongoing campaign against drug barons, land grabbing mafia and hardcore criminals shall continue till meeting its logical end.

He appreciated Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr.Shireen M. Mazari in particular and the NCHR in general.

He emphasized that there will be zero tolerance to the black sheep involved in mal-practices in all segments of societies.

IGP Islamabad Muhammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan had assured the minister for Interior that ICT Police shall go all out in materializing the vision of the current government.

The IGP Islamabad also touched upon the role of police in respecting human rights and called upon all officials to deal all human beings with sheer respect, dignity and honor.

After the implementation on the vision of respect for others by police, trust of the people will be restored and people in return would love Islamabad Police. 

Indeed police is paid on people's taxes hence duty bound to maintain and perform this sacred profession. 

In the end, the chairman NCHR Ali Nawaz Chohan expressed highest gratitude and reposed confidence on the leadership of IGP Islamabad. 

He said that ICT Police under the current IGP shall flourish in a manner, where on human rights shall be respected and criminals shall be on the run. He was of the view that the exemplary measures under taken by ICT Police shall become a regular feature. 

About torture on cameraman in the premises of Parliament House, the State Minister for Interior said that action would be taken against those involved in this act as per law. He directed IGP Islamabad to ensure arrest of the persons wanted in it and submit report with him on immediate basis. 

Irrespective of the status of the people, he said that the incumbent government would ensure implementation of law without any discrimination.

Criminals to be made symbol, not to be spared in 'Naya Pakistan'

ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP):Minister of State for Interior, Shehryar Afridi on Wednesday said federal government has waged a war on land grabbers, drug barons and those involved in heinous crimes targeting common people as they would be dealt with iron hands and brought to justice.

Addressing a passing out ceremony of 17th batch of lower course and 32nd batch of basic recruit course here at Police Line, he elaborated that ongoing campaign against drug barons, land grabbing mafia and hardcore criminals shall continue till meeting its logical end. The encroached land worth more than Rs. 300 billion has been retrieved. 

"We will not spare anyone involved in drugs and land grabbing. We will make an example out of them," the Minister remarked, adding that the youth are asset of the country and no one would be allowed to spoil their future.

He said politicians, police officials and media persons should avoid supporting these mafias. Shehryar Afridi said that IGP Islamabad had taken extreme action against drug barons and encroachers and officials of the police for their involvement in facilitation of various criminals.

He lauded the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Islamabad, Amir Zulfiqar, Capital Development Authority (CDA), District Administration and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) for taking action against mafias.

Shehryar Khan Afridi appreciated the recent efforts of IGP Islamabad in particular and was of the view that Prime Minister of Pakistan has concurred to demands of IGP Islamabad in making this police force a role model for entire country.

He maintained that the government was fully backing drive of the IGP Islamabad against drug mafia, land mafia and criminals as a whole. He said such people would be made a symbol and not to be spared. "No one is above the law and neither anyone can be allowed to challenge the writ of the state," the Minister observed, saying rule of law and supremacy of law shall prevail throughout the country on an equal basis in Naya Pakistan.

Afridi also warned the youth against a hybrid war launched by the enemy to divide and disintegrate Pakistani people on ethnic, linguistic and racial lines.

"Fifth generation war has been imposed on Pakistan. We will fight it and our youth would be at the front line of defence under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan," the Minister said.

This is Naya Pakistan where all citizens of the country are free and equally respected," he added.

Shehryar Khan Afridi said the Prime Minister has approved a special package for families of martyrs of Islamabad Police and also a health card for the police.

"The police officials will be given due respect and honour in the Naya Pakistan," he said.

He said the entire nation was proud of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), whose personnel were rendering great sacrifices to ensure peace in the country.

He said the government was determined to providing all available resources to Islamabad Police for their capacity building. Work on the Police Act was under way as the government was firm to introduce reforms in the Capital Police, he added.

In his welcome address, Inspector General of Islamabad Aamir Zulfiqar 380 police personnel are passing out including 175 participants of lower school course, 182 retired army personnel and 23 children of Shuhda. He said these personnel have been imparted training on modern ground. 

The IGP said Islamabad Police have started a crackdown against those land grabbers, drug barons and criminals who considered themselves as "untouchables."

He thanked Prime Minister for approving demands of Islamabad police and making this force as role model for whole country.

Aamir Zulfiqar assured the minister that ICT Police shall go all out in materializing vision of current government. The IGP Islamabad also touched upon role of police in respecting human rights and called upon all officials to deal all citizens with sheer respect, dignity and honor.

After implementation on vision of respect for others by police, trust of the people will be restored and people in return would love Islamabad Police.

High ups of Islamabad police and families of police personnel attended the ceremony. The minister also distributed shields among the policemen on the occasion.

Delegation headed by Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu called on Minister of State

A delegation headed by Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu called on Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi here on Monday. Matters pertaining to mutual interests and bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey came under discussion.

Minister said Pakistan and Turkey enjoy relations pivoted on historical, spiritual and religious grounds. He said the relations between Turkey and Pakistan will be further cemented to the extent that it will become exemplary for the whole international community.

He said every Pakistani loves Turkey and its people from the core of their hearts. He said Turkey and Pakistan have been at the forefront in fighting the common enemy – terrorism – and both countries have been affected due to the same. He said like Turkey, seventy thousand Pakistanis have laid down their lives due to the scourge of terrorism while the country also bore financial losses amounting to billions of dollars in fighting terrorism.

Minister of State said that Pakistani Armed forces have been valiantly fighting this war and they have defeated terrorists and cleaned each and every inch of Pakistani territory from terrorists. Minister of State for Interior also commended the support rendered by Turkey on FATF issue.

Both countries agreed to expand cooperation in choking down terror financing and money laundering. Shehryar Khan Afridi told the Turkish minister that Pakistan has taken concrete in this regard and this campaign has been very successful. Both the leaders expressed their resolve to taking joint steps in countering money laundering.  Turkish Interior Minister lauded the role of Pakistan against the war on terror and acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by Pakistani army and its people. Suleyman Soylu offered to facilitate training of Pakistani police, CTD etc to help train on modern techniques and skills.