Youth possess all potential to compete global level

ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):Minister of State for Interior, Shehryar Khan Afridi on Wednesday said the youth are future of the country and have potential and abilities to compete at all levels in the world.

Addressing the International Student Convention, organized here at Pak-China Cultural Centre, he lauded efforts of the organizers for holding such an event which would provide opportunities to the youth in promoting social aspects.

The Minister said the youth's participation in decision making regarding social, cultural and economic affairs was very important for bright future of the country.

Shehryar Khan Afridi urged the youth to work for humanity, adding that "We need to study humanity because without reading humanity we cannot make an impact."

It was needed to portray genuine picture of the country before the world, he said and added that misconceptions or negativity should be ended.

He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan was committed to promoting humanity and highlight sacrifices given for humanity as it was main objective of any civilized nation.

He said youth, consisting around 60 per cent of the total population of the country have been playing an important role to bring about a real change and contributed towards building "Naya Pakistan."

"We should promote peace in globe and respect each others norms, values and cultures. We need to fight against all those odds which affect humanity," he added.

The Minister said those who challenge the writ of state and try to create chaos will not be allowed and brought to book.

He said in Naya Pakistan, the minorities are enjoying all opportunities with their due rights.

"Let us join hands and convey a message of unity to the world that Pakistani youth are vibrant and peace-loving," he said and added Pakistani youth have set good examples in the globe with their extreme talent.

The Minister also highlighted initiatives of the government for providing all facilities and due rights to citizens of provinces including Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

He said those influential corrupt persons who have looted tax payers money are being taken to task and added each and every penny would be recovered from them and spent on country's development.

Later, Shehryar Khan Afridi was awarded shield by the organizers.

Family of Tahir Dawar to be given Rs 70 million, jobs

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP):State Minister for Interior Shehryar Afridi on Tuesday announced a special package for family of martyred Superintendent of Police Tahir Dawar, stating his heirs would be given Rs 70 million and his brothers would get jobs in government departments.

Speaking at a press conference along with Inspector General Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and brothers of martyred SP Tahir Dawar here, he said it was responsibility of the government and state to take care of heirs of the martyred security personnel. 

He said SP Tahir Dawar was looking after four families and he was martyred while he was on duty and the Prime Minister directed that a package should be given to his heirs.

He said everybody had the right to do politics but those forces that were using the people to spread disinformation and destabilize Pakistan would be countered.

“We will not allow any such force to act with hostility against Pakistan and we will make an example of them.  Propaganda  is being launched by anti-Pakistan elements on social media.”

The minister said there was consensus among the political leadership and the armed forces on issues of security.

He said the key stakeholders should realize their responsibility regarding peace and security of Pakistan.

“Some elements are creating differences in society but we have to promote positive thinking. The state is strong and it will not compromise on its principles.”

He said some influential personalities were perpetuating propaganda on the social media about the anti-encroachment drive which would continue against the untouchables, however he added as per direction of the Prime Minister poor segment would not be disturbed and dislodged from their homes.

The minister told that the Prime Minister had directed formation of five-member parliamentary committee to review progress in the investigation of SP Tahir Dawar case.

Three members would belong to treasury benches and two members would be from opposition in both houses – National Assembly and Senate.

Answering a question, he said  the security cameras installed in the capital under the Safe City Project could not recognize the face and vehicles number plates and investigation was being held as to how 90 percent advance payment was made for such cameras. 

He appreciated performance of Inspector General Police Islamabad and said crime rate in the capital city had fallen by 40 percent.

Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said KP police fought guerrilla war against the terrorists in the province and rendered sacrifices of more than 1500 of its officers and jawans.

The KP police was being reformed on modern lines and KP Safety Commission and e policing were the prominent features of the reforms.

In the first 100 days, 25 projects were initiated as part of the reforms being carried out, he added.

 Answering another question regarding the murder of Maulana Samiul Haq, he said investigation was in progress and would be shared with media after its completion.

Ahmed Din, brother of SP Tahir Dawar thanked the government for announcing the package for his family and reposed his confidence in the parliamentary committee and the ongoing investigation.

Keeping environment clean is combined responsibility

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (APP):Minister of State for Interior, Shehryar Khan Afridi Tuesday said it was a collective responsibility to keep environment clean and avoid sufferings because of polluted atmosphere.

Addressing a Clean and Green Islamabad: Ideas Competition here at Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG), F-7/2, he said, everyone was aware of losses, the environmental degradation was causing in the Capital, but unfortunately no one paid any heed to redressing of environmental issues in past.

Shehryar Afridi said, "I feel proud our children in educational institutions are giving a message that how we can get more benefits from Clean and Green Pakistan programme."

"We have to create awareness among the masses regarding environmental hazards. We need to pledge that every individual of family should plant a sapling at least once a month. 

The solid waste should be separated at household level and for this purpose, citizenry should be sensitized on rudiments of recycling and the need to separate the waste."

He said provision of clean environment to people is not only a responsibility but also a religious obligation, adding that government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) launched a billion tree project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and now in New Pakistan the central government was heading towards 10 billion trees project.

Moreover, comprehensive, short, medium and long-term plans were being devised for making the Capital clean and rescuing its environment from degradation.

The minister said, "We have to balance needs of development with nature conservation and provide opportunities for creation of green jobs. The number-one agenda of PTI government is to invest for  humanity and we need to give dignity to every human. You, the young generation, should play role for better and prosperous Pakistan."

Principal of College, Dr Nasreen, Vice Principal Dr Asifa Raheem, Deputy Mayor Islamabad, Zeeshan Naqvi, representatives of Ministry of Interior, Islamabad Capital Territory Administration, Capital Development Authority (CDA) attended the event.

Afridi vows to push ahead with anti-encroachment drive in Capital

ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (APP):Minister of State for Interior,  Shehryar Khan Afridi, vowing to rid Capital of land grabbers, on Monday said anti-encroachment drive would continue as per rules and regulation.

Talking to media-persons here at Bahria Enclave where Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration and Police conducted operation, said 65 illegal commercial structures had been demolished while 514 kanal state land has been retrieved. 

The Minister, who personally supervised the drive, said all legal formalities were being fulfilled adding W"e are moving forward as a team." 

He said CDA had issued many notices to Bahria Enclave and eventually anti-encroachment operation was launched to demolish illegal structures and retrieving encroached land. 

Afridi said Prime Minister Imran Khan had clear directions that no action would be taken against innocent persons. 

"We would not allow any encroacher at any cost to grab state land. Action will also be taken against those who facilitated the land mafia," he said and added it would be responsibility of Bahria Enclave administration to compensate the affected persons. 

"No one is above law and there would be no compromise on national interest. This is called New Pakistan as action is being taken against those, trying to make state within state," he said this while replying to a question.