NAROWAL / LAHORE: Denying tensions between state institutions, Minister for Interior Affairs Ahsan Iqbal claimed on Saturday that certain segments of the media and the army, and some “failed” politicians, were trying to create the perception of a standoff in order to further their own agenda.

While talking to journalists at the inaugural ceremony of a three-day International Business Conference and Exhibition at the Expo Centre in Sialkot, Mr Iqbal alleged that some disgruntled elements wanted to pit the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) against the army. “They will never succeed in materialising their nefarious designs,” he said.

Asserting that the PML-N was the biggest political party in the country while the army was the most powerful institution, he lambasted certain politicians, retired army men and journalists who made frequent appearances on TV shows and spewed hatred towards the government rather than talking about defence or security matters.

Mr Iqbal said: “Democracy is reigning supreme in the country and the next general elections will be held on time.” He stressed that the government had gone the extra mile to ensure peace in the country and had created an environment that was conducive to strengthening the economy.

He stressed that the country’s economy could not improve without ensuring political stability, and said: “Those sabotaging peace and stability in the country are enemies of the country.”

In an age of technology in which new discoveries were being made each day, it was imperative for businesses to keep up with the changing times, he said. One of the ways to do that was to promote research, he said, adding that the development of critical and scientific thought must keep up with the development of physical infrastructure for the nation to progress.

The minister said the government had not taken out loans to fill their own coffers but to develop the country’s infrastructure. “The new infrastructure in the country is modernising the industry and helping the government overcome the energy crisis.”

Back in 2013, the economy was in the doldrums and no one was willing to invest in Pakistan, he recalled, adding that things had changed drastically. If Pakistan continued on the path to progress at the current pace, it would be among the top 20 largest economies of the world by 2025 while Asia would account for 50pc of the global economy.

At present, all economic indicators were showing improvement, he added, stressing that consistency in economic policies was indispensable for the progress of a country.

The interior minister also inaugurated a district jail located on Shakargarh Road in Narowal. The facility, built at a cost of Rs1.05 billion, is spread over 56 acres of land.

Speaking to police officers and administration officials in Narowal, Mr Iqbal continued to stress that all state institutions were working in harmony. “Every institution has its merits and demerits and we should not raise fingers at one another or scold anyone...the executive and the judiciary should continue to play their part.”

He said the government had successfully foiled local and international conspiracies against the country, and added that certain political elements who had been rejected by the masses were now playing in the wrong hands for their vested interests, and were weakening Pakistan politically and economically. “No one will be able to create rifts within the ranks of PML-N,” he stressed.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2017