ISLAMABAD: The Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid had to resign in the larger national interest because it is the responsibility of the state to ensure national security and safeguarding national interests hence came the resignation as a sacrifice to fulfill that obligation.

She expressed these views talking to the media outside the Accountability Court and the Punjab House, here Tuesday       

She said that the people of Rawalpindi and Islamabad had heaved sigh of relief over the end of the sit-in which also brought chaos and anarchy to an end. She said that the country could not afford such circumstances. She said that all would have to move forward collectively, so that the country never faced similar circumstances in future. She also urged the media to play its role in this connection. 

“During the last two days, the country faced a deplorable situation and it was very difficult to deal with it,” she said responding to a question, adding that it was time to look ahead and stop looking back because it could take the country back by decades, which the future generations could not afford to inherit. 

The minister said that the party which was obstructing the passage of the Electoral Bill was not fair with Pakistan and its posterity. Marriyum reiterated that the delay in the elections would not be in the interest of the country and all the political parties had to play their due role in ensuring timely passage of the Bill. 

She said that the Assembly had approved the amendment Bill and the Senate was meeting in the second week of December; therefore, it was incumbent upon all the political parties to deliberate on the issue. She expressed hope that the election would be held on time in 2018. 

Marriyum pointed out that everyone knew the circumstances of the country when the former prime minister assumed power in 2013 and where the country stood when he was disqualified in 2017. She said it was a developing, shining and rising Pakistan where peace was fast returning and the curse of terrorism had been checked. She said that what happened was really very regrettable. 

“At the PML-N consultative meeting, the circumstances that prevailed in the country during the last two days and other important issues came under discussion,” she said, citing that ex-PM Nawaz Sharif appeared before the NAB court despite the false allegations. 

She said that Nawaz had made a pledge with the people to uphold the sanctity of law and the constitution. The minister said that Nawaz Sharif put the country on the road to sustained development during the last four years which could not be done during the last twenty years. 

Answering a question, she said, the public rallies of the PML-N would be held according to the given schedule and there was possibility of participation of the ex-PM Nawaz in a public meeting in Quetta, as well.      

“His wife is sick and under treatment in London. He has to visit her frequently,” said Marriyum, adding that it was a very difficult situation for him. She said Nawaz would go to London when he deems it fit. She lamented that whenever he left for London, certain quarters create wrong impression that he would not return, which was very unreasonable. To a question, the minister also confirmed the meeting between the ex-PM and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.—APP