'Anti-state' statements: Minister underscores need for greater accountability

ISLAMABAD: Information and Broadcasting Minister Shibli Faraz on Saturday said anyone giving statements against the state institutions would be held accountable. Addressing a press conference, Shibli said the government could not allow anyone to give statements against the state institutions for any vested interest. He said certain elements from the opposition parties had spoken against the state institutions to make the institutions controversial just for their vested interest.

The minister said former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq's anti-state statement provided the Indian media an opportunity to start yet another propaganda against Pakistan. He said the elements, which were harming the country, would be held accountable, and in that regard, legal options were being deliberated upon.

The minister said the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was following the narrative of destabilising the country. However, he said, the saner elements within the opposition parties did not agree with the narrative of their leaders, which was aimed at destabilising the country. He said that the public was also concerned about the statements made against the state institutions.

Shibli Faraz said it was utmost priority of the government to take the country towards stability and prosperity and "we are well prepared to protect the country's interests".

He said that the PTI government had taken initiatives to provide jobs and houses to the people. He said that the PTI government had worked to stabilise the economy. "And, the government is also taking measures to control inflation," he said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020