Only foreigners living illegally in Pakistan being expelled: PM Kakar

PESHAWAR, Oct 13 (DNA): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on
Friday ruling out any talks with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan
(TTP), said that state of Pakistan was powerful enough to fight them
even for next 100 years.

“Don’t you see that their people are being killed on daily basis. Our
people are also being martyred. So what kind of talks or impediments
(you are talking about)? They are killing my children and I am killing
the… The state of Pakistan is so powerful to fight TTP, not just one
year rather 100 years,” the prime minister told the media during his
visit to Peshawar.

Caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan and Governor Haji Ghulam Ali
accompanied the prime minister.

Asked what were the impediments in talks with TTP, the prime minister
said the biggest obstacle was that no one was willing to talk to them.
“We don’t want to talk to them. Who told you that we have any intention
to talk with TTP,” he remarked.

Prime Minister Kakar, who earlier offered Fateha and laid wreath at the
grave of former FC Commandant Shaheed Sifwat Ghayur said, “If you want
me to announce the same in North Waziristan or South Waziristan, take me
there. Keep in mind, I may die but not Pakistan.”

Rubbishing the notions of any registered Afghan refugees being expelled
from Pakistan, the prime minister said only the foreigners living
illegally in Pakistan were being ousted.

He said through such measures, Pakistan did not want to undermine its
relationship with Afghanistan rather desired to have the ties based on
international standards in which the movement of the people would be
subject to the visas.

He said as the illegal residents had no registration in Pakistan’s
database, the state was unable to distinguish between those playing a
productive role in the society and the criminals.

He clarified that the expulsion of illegal residents was not out of any
vengeance rather the state wanted to rid the country of those causing
social ills as well as the becoming a challenge of terrorism and crimes.

To a question, he said no reports have so far been received about
burning of houses in North Waziristan, Bajaur or Orakzai. However, he
asked the IG Police, Chief Secretary and intelligence agencies to
provide a reality-based report on the matter.

Asked about the fate of PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif on his return, the
prime minister said the government would act as per the law. Regarding
the elections, he said the caretaker setup would play its role in
accordance with the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision of
announcing the final date for polls.

Commenting on the economic situation, Prime Minister Kakar said with the
depreciation of dollar, the country’s loans had been reduced by Rs4000
billion besides impacting the prices of petroleum products, sugar, ghee
and other eatables. All this is going to provide relief to the people,
but it is not being duly highlighted, he added.

To another query, the prime minister reiterated that all the political
parties registered with the Election Commission would be allowed to go
into the electoral process and in case of any complaint.

Earlier talking to a delegation of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, he reiterated that the sacrifices of the soldiers could never
be paid in form of salaries instead, the reverence and dignity also
promised by Allah Almighty was their due reward.

He said by laying his life for the country, Shaheed Sifwat Ghayur also
became a symbol of courage like other 90,000 people martyred during war
against terrorism.

The prime minister, who was on first visit to Peshawar after assuming
the office, assured the business community to address their genuine
issues through consultation. He also lauded his cabinet as “capable and
dedicated” people who were serving the country within their mandate.

Earlier, the prime minister also listened to the issues highlighted by
the delegation members. DNA