Enemies want to stoke anarchy to hamper country's progress, says minister

MUSCAT: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal says Pakistan is being seen among the fastest growing economies of the world.

Addressing an event here, the minister said overseas Pakistanis are “our asset.” Taking aim at government opponents, he said it was high time they should shun politics of anarchy and move ahead to play a role in the progress of the country.

“Our enemies want to hamper the country’s progress by stoking anarchy,” Iqbal warned.

He stressed the need for maintaining the current pace of development in Pakistan and expressed optimism that its future will be bright and prosperous.

Iqbal said development projects worth billions of rupees have been undertaken in the country.

He said that the next general elections will be held on time.

A day earlier, the minister had said the government was making every possible effort to not let anyone play havoc with the democratic polity.

He said holding elections of the Senate on schedule was the requirement of democracy and part of democratic process.

Reacting to Indian army chief’s recent statement about Pakistan, the minister said thess sort of assertions were unbecoming for a nuclear state. His statement reflected the behavior suited to an irresponsible state, he added.

On January 12, Indian army chief Gen Bipin Rawat said that the force was ready to call Pakistan’s nuclear bluff and cross the border to conduct operation if asked by the Indian government.

The interior minister further said the US President Donald Trump’s tweet and Indian army chief’s statement were aimed at pressurizing Pakistan.