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.