Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Sunday said that Narendra Modi-led Indian government had buried its secular face.
Addressing a public gathering in Sialkot, Firdous said that India was now known as an extremist state around the world.
She said that India pushed Indian-held Kashmir into violence and promoted the ideology of Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which sparked violence everywhere in that country.
The special assistant said that Indian forces had started unprovoked attacks on the Line of Control, killing innocent civilians, but the armed forces and people of Pakistan were united to respond to the Indian aggression befittingly.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in Sialkot, the special assistant said that the federal cabinet had received the application of Maryam Nawaz for visiting abroad and it would be decided on Tuesday.
She said the cabinet would review the application in detail and decide according to the constitution and law.
Firdous said Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should appear before the NAB and present the money trail, as required by the anti-graft watchdog.
She also said that on the directives of the prime minister, the authorities concerned had been told to ensure the supply of gas to people’s households even if it means curbing the supply to CNG stations.
She maintained that false claims were being perpetuated regarding the hike in gas prices.
“The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) is merely a regulator, which, keeping in mind ground realities, forwards its input to the government. The prime minister is aware of the people’s problems and the government understands that citizens cannot bear to take on more expenses at the moment. We cannot act on the recommendations put forth by the authority. We must come up with a realistic strategy so that we do not put additional burden on the nation,” she said.
She stated that a continuous wave of winter had gripped the country, which was why there had been an increase in the demand of gas.
“Keeping this in mind, there has been a 12 percent increase in gas pressure, while overall utilisation has increased by almost 2.5% as compared to last year.”
She added that the opposition continues to denounce democracy during Imran Khan’s tenure, as it was not the type of democracy they wanted. “The prime minister is not in favour of the type of democracy where you worry about the wellbeing of your own children and not that of the nation’s children. Your own conduct is undemocratic. You should bring democracy to your own province.”
She said Imran Khan was the saviour that this country needed. “He will enable the nation to stand on its own feet,” she concluded.
