Violent elements "are divorced from us", says caretaker PM in first cabinet meeting

Violent elements

Islamabad (Web Desk): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has expressed firm resolve to ensure that minorities in Pakistan stay protected and rule of law is established at any cost.

Addressing the first meeting of the caretaker federal cabinet in Islamabad on Friday, the premier strongly condemned the Jaranwala incident.

He said that Pakistan is owned and shared by multiple ethnicities and religions and any extreme attitude like the one exhibited in Jaranwala will be unwelcomed and dealt with iron hands.

"We strongly discourage rigidity either in the garb of religion or secularism and no one will be allowed to create anarchy or chaos in the country," PM Kakar asserted, adding that the sanctity of the order would be kept at any cost.

"Pakistan is owned and shared by all ethnicities, all creeds, and all religious background," he added.

He said that rigidity, be it in any form in the society, would be strongly discouraged.

"Rigidity may come in the garb of religion or secularism or in any other form, these extreme attitude will be discourage and will be controlled by the law," he said.

Highlighting the key priorities of the caretaker government, the premier vowed to comply with the commitments made by the previous government on national and international levels with different forums, besides ensuring rule of law and financial discipline during the interim period.

"We do not have perpetual mandate to serve the nation but during the given allocated time we will try to lay foundation where we have sense of continuation of national and international commitments that the previous government has made with different forums," he said.

Mentioning the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), launched by former government, PM Kakar said that the caretaker government would fully support it.

"In fact SIFC is not a new idea but it is an old national dream that is going to be materialized now," the premier said, adding that the day has arrived when with the support of all institutions including Pakistan military leadership, we support, facilitate, encourage, and realize this old national dream.

During the meeting he individually acknowledged the services of all the cabinet members saying “I am very proud that we have got one of the best team”.

He hoped that the Almighty Allah would enable them to lead and steer this nation during the interim period.

With regard to the economic situation in the country, the prime minister said he was well aware of the huge economic challenges but with an able team, the government would ensure the financial discipline.

"We have a sense of sanctity of tax payers’ money. This money on which we are having today’s meeting, using resources or traveling, is paid by the people of Pakistan."

He said either it was an ordinary vender, shopkeeper, teacher, lawyer or any other person, all were contributing in this regard.

Speaking about the incident of May 9, the prime minister explicitly expressed disappointment and discomfort over the sabotage activities happened on the day.

He said attack on the military installation was like the country’s immune system was attacked which could lead towards fatality.

“We do not just condemn it but we also will ensure that justice will be done and whosoever violated laws on those days will be treated according to law and there will not be any favor to anybody”.

On Kashmir issue, the prime minister said “It was the core issue which could not be ignored. “It lies in our soul, for us Kashmir is eternal.”