Tariq denies report Govt on ten point security plan

ISLAMABAD—Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Senator Tariq Azeem denying a news report regarding ten point plan of government for imposing ban on political activities said no decision in this regard has been taken so far.Talking to a private television channel the Minister said the report in this connection is baseless because the government is trying to bring all stakeholders onboard to evolve a strategy, and added that no decision has yet been taken.
He said that security arrangements have undergone certain changes throughout the world in the prevailing circumstances and there is no harm if all stakeholders sit together and evolve a joint strategy for political activities during upcoming general elections. The main concern of the government in this regard is to ensure safety of the citizens during political gatherings.
He said the government has no intention to keep political leaders away from their supporters and some quarters are busy in baseless propaganda in this regard. To a question the Minister said, besides security concerns it is inappropriate to keep roads and public places blocked for hours to demonstrate political power, as it hinders normal activities.
Azeem said that government is busy in addressing the menace of terrorism on permanent basis but at the same time it is imperative to take measures to avoid loss of innocent lives. After the loss of so many innocent lives during the PPPP procession one would not like recurrence of such a tragedy the Minister said adding those opposing the initiative infact want to do politics of dead bodies. To another question the Minister said the proposed code of conduct on coming into practice would be applicable to all including the ruling coalition parties. —APP