Govt understands the economic challenges faced by the country: Attaullah Tarar
LAHORE, March 17 (SABAH): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar Advocate says the present government, under Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s dynamic leadership, is working tirelessly for Pakistan’s progress.
Addressing a news conference in Lahore on Sunday, Attatullah Tarar said the government understands the economic challenges faced by the country and that the Prime Minister holds meetings on daily basis to overcome these challenges.
Expressing sorrow and grief over loss of precious lives in terrorist attack in North Waziristan, the Information Minister said armed forces have rendered unprecedented sacrifices during war against terrorism.
To a question, he said all political parties should sit together to agree on a code of ethics for social media. To another question, the Minister said the government is taking measures for privatization of loss-making government institutions.
Attaullah Tarar claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) social media team was behind the accounts attacking Pakistan Army and the soldiers who were martyred in North Waziristan a day earlier, warning action against them.
Attaullah Tarar, while speaking about the terror incident, said that Pakistan Army, the police and people have made sacrifices in the war against terrorism. “I condemn the insulting social media campaign launched by a political party against the martyrs and their sacrifices,” said the information minister.
Attaullah Tarar alleged that PTI’s social media team was behind these accounts, adding that such behaviour was intolerable and people behind the campaign have been identified.
Urging the nation to come together for national unity and security, Attaullah Tarar said that some “red lines should not be crossed”, stressing that those who run such campaigns will be identified and brought to justice through legal action.
He added that many of the social media accounts were being operated outside of Pakistan and the followers of these accounts also preside in Pakistan. “Those who mock the sacrifices of the martyrs do not deserve any concession. Criticise politics a hundred times but don’t do this against martyrs,” he urged. “Insulting and mocking the martyrs is not acceptable under any circumstances.”
The information minister said that the government pays homage to the sacrifices made by the martyrs in the Waziristan incident.
Speaking about the economic situation of the country, the minister said that there’s not a single day when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif does not hold a meeting related to the economy. Attaullah Tarar said that the country’s economic situation requires urgent measures, adding that the government will not let the country default as it is their mission to make people’s lives easier.
He added that loss-making institutions will be privatised and the government was also working on tax reforms and restructuring of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
Later, addressing a gathering of supporters in his constituency in Lahore on Sunday, the Information Minister said PML-N has always served public and present government will fulfill its responsibilities as well. Attaullah Tarar thanked his supporters, voters and especially Christian community, which supported him in recent elections.