Govt to protect country's interest at any cost, GB Govt to be extended full support: Afridi

GILGIT Sep 19 (APP):Minister of State for Interior,Shahryar Khan Afridi here Wednesday said government would protect interest of the country at any cost come what may.

Addressing a high-level meeting in connection with Moharramul Haram security arrangements

here on Wednesday, he said the era of 'Do More' has gone rather its period of 'No More'.

He made it clear that we will not hand over our rights and security for our personal gains to

the aliens as the previous regimes used to do so.

"We are the citizens of this country which has been bestowed with God gifted natural resources

in abundance," he said, adding our main focus is strengthening of the federal units and economic empowerment of people and assured that the government which was in GB would be given full respect and honour as given to others federating units.

"I came here to listen problems of people of this beautiful province and not to dictate any things to GB Government."

"Our government was focusing on development and progress of hitherto neglected areas like GB and will make every endeavour to provide all basic amenities of life to people of this province at their doorsteps."

Unfortunately, he said the previous successive governments had ignored the remote and backward areas of the country.

Earlier, the minister was given detailed briefing on the security arrangements made for peaceful observance of Ashura Moharram. He assured full support of the federal government to GB in the

maintenance of public order.

Meanwhile, the interior minister for state visited Imamia Masjid and Central Mosque Gilgit and met the people of the occasion.

The meeting was attended by Law Minister GB Aurangzaib Advocate, Chief Secretary, IGP, DG Rangers, DG GB scouts and representatives of other security agencies.

Later, in a brief chat with media men, Afridi said the government was taking steps to remove sense of deprivation of the people of GB.

To a question he said, all stakeholders were on same page viz a viz national security. He held categorical assurance that Federal Govt would continue support to the GB govt which has

been elected through democratic process.

He said protection to life and properties was the sole responsibilities of the government and no comprise would be made in this regard. "All are equal before us whether they are in majority or in

minority in Pakistan," the minister concluded.

Resolving differences crucial to ensure global peace, prosperity says Afridi

ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP):State Minister for Interior, Shehryar Khan Afridi on Tuesday urged the international community to shun their 

differences and play a collective role to ensure global peace and prosperity. 

“We are living in very potential region which is full of natural energy resources. Over half of the population of the world is living 

in this region which includes countries like China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The economic integration among these 

countries can become crucial in power game in the world,” he said while addressing at the concluding ceremony of international 

conference on “Global Peace Amidst War and Conflict organized by Centre For Peace, Security and Developmental Studies (CPSD) here at a hotel.

He said that countries in our neighboring region should play responsible role for maintaining peace and to protect future of our 

generations by ensuring economic development and prosperity. 

“It’s high time, we need to start thinking about shared prosperity and common goals and get united like other region of the world,” he maintained. 

He said that India is our neighboring country and both of us should think about the importance of neighborhood for mutual benefits and prosperity. 

He stressed the global community to think about the future of children and protect their lives from common threats. “The global 

community should work to protect every child without any discrimination”, he added. 

Being a native of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he told the participants about the terrorism threats being faced by the people of the area. 

“We need to sit for protecting human lives in this globe. 

International community should sit to maintain peace and protect the youngsters who are involved in suicide bombing,” he added. 

The minister urged responsible attitude from each country and to remove mis-perception as well as misunderstandings, if they existed 

between any of the country with other. He said that peace in the world must be the top priority and added 

Pakistan had given great sacrifices for that purpose. The incumbent government, he said, was committed for global peace and to bridge the 

gaps for common goals of shared prosperity as well as peace in the world. 

The minister said, "We must know the importance of humanity and to show our commitment to resolve the conflicts all over the world for 

common welfare.” 

The minister invited the international community to join the hands and be united for common goals of sustainable development and prosperity.

He said that the entire global community must think for the common people and those who are living below the poverty line. 

He hoped that Pakistan would emerge as an important country, which would have the significant role in affairs of the world.

No comprise on national security, NAP to be implemented in letter and spirit: State Minister

GILGIT, Sep 19 (APP):Minister of State for Interior, Shahryar Khan Afridi here Wednesday maintained the

government will not compromise on national security and will implement national

action plan (NAP) in letter and spirit.

The Minister expressed these views during an important meeting with religious scholars and ulema Karam of all schools of thoughts belonged to Gilgit Baltistan on eve of Ashura Moharram.

The Minister said maintaining law and order was the top most priorities of the Government and no comprise would be made on issues related to national security.

He said Allah Almighty has bestowed Muslims with all kinds of blessings but we had divided ourselves in different

sects, resultantly our problems increased due to distance from true teachings of Islam.

The Minister said all our problems can be addressed by holding tight to the rope of Allah Almighty and strictly adhering to the teachings of Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad

(PBUH).

The Minister said great responsibilities rest on the shoulders of Ulema Karam and religious scholars of all schools of thoughts to work tirelessly for peace, education and reformation of the society.

Afridi highly appreciated the role played by Ulema e Karam of Gigit Baltistan for maintaining peace and promotion of inter-faith harmony in this province.

He said all sects enjoy uniformed rights in the country and all their rights would be fully protected.

The religious scholars and ulema assured full cooperation to the minister regarding law and order situation in the province.

Exemplary measures to be adopted to protect workers' rights: Afridi

ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 (APP):Minister of State for Interior, Shehryar Khan Afridi Monday assured Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF) that the government would adopt exemplary measures to 

protect rights of workers. Addressing the concluding session of a two-day Strategy Workshop: Promoting Labour Standards Compliance in Textile 

and Garments Sectors, he said, "Our basic objective would be to introduce such policies to benefit workers and improve their living standards. 

He said, "Pakistan is our homeland and we need to introduce such reforms not only to improve our image across the globe but also ensure development and prosperity." 

He said national security is our priority and there would be no compromise on it. 

The minister while assuring his cooperation to PWF, said he would raise voice for their rights at any forums. 

Besides others, Central General Secretary, Pakistan Workers Federation (PWF), Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqoob, Central Organizer PWC, Zahoor Awan, Aslam Wafa and Abdul Qadir, 

Program Coordinator and Advisor, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Pakistan also shared their views on various aspects of working of 

trade unions in Pakistan and the overall situation of workers' rights in the country. 

The workers' leaders were of view that the textile and the garment sectors were the largest sectors of the economy with 

largest number of employees and workers but unfortunately, the exploited sector of the country as well. 

They added that almost 40% of all industrial workers in Pakistan are linked with textile industry whereas their contribution in overall exports is 62%. 

Therefore, the representatives said they are facing numerous challenges that do not auger well for the sector which is an important part of global.