Ministry of Interior Pakistan

Pakistan's youth capable of competing at all levels: Shehryar Afridi

LAHORE, Nov 26 (APP)::Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi on Monday said youth of the country had the ability to compete at all levels in the world.

Addressing the 2nd International Youth Summit, organized by the University of Lahore (UOL) here, he appreciated the efforts of UOL administration for holding such an event which would provide 

opportunities to the youth in promoting cultural and social aspects.

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

He said such events would bring peace and harmony besides involving the youth to think and work for betterment of the country.

Shehryar Khan Afridi urged the youth to work for humanity, adding, "We need to study humanity because without reading humanity you can not 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.

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

He said youth had played an important role to bring about a real change in the country and contributed towards building "Naya Pakistan".

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

UOL Chairman Awais Rauf, Senator Sana Jamali, Punjab University former vice-chancellor Mujahid Kamran, youth delegations from various countries including Malaysia, Turkey, China, Indonesia and others participated in the conference.

Shehryar stresses collective efforts for protecting, strengthening national security

ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi Thursday said the elements, who damaged the beloved country would be dealt with an iron hand and collective efforts are needed for protecting and strengthening national security. Addressing a conference titled 'National Security, Nation Building and Mass Media', organized by Pakistan Institute of Conflict and Security Studies, he said, the government is accountable to its deeds, enough is enough, we must put our house in order by engaging all key stakeholders, making accountable to vested interests, who inflicted innumerable damages to the country's repute. 

He said the government was planning to engage country's 70 percent youth aged between 18 to 35 years in nation building activities, attract foreign direct investment (FDI) for reviving the economy. He 

urged media to avoid flashing the news having potential to damage national interest and create chaos in the country. 

The US media avoid highlighting Chicago despite having highest crime ratio in the world. Likewise minorities are in pathetic condition in India but Indian media is silent over the issue.

He said Media should better launch a campaign against the responsible of looting billion of rupees in name of safe city project. We have miserably failed to ensure check and balances among media and other institutions as some vested interests including so called leaders were also indulged in defaming their own country.  He quoted the example of Ajmal Kasab,who was owned by the government of that time. 

"Why media avoided launching campaign against plunderers of billion of rupees in the name of national security. Media did not give importance to news stories of the incarcerated Dr Aafia Siddique and exaggerate news relating to Aasia Masih," he said. 

He lamented that the former governments did not devised a policy regarding registration of International Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs). He said the government has decided to launch an across the globe campaign urging the world to avoid insulting or defaming sacred personalities of all religions . Government has firm resolve to promote and strengthen civil, military coordination. 

Introduce reforms in seminaries as four million students are studying in 32,000 religious seminaries.He said unfortunately National Action Plan was not implemented in letter and spirit which resulted in disorder in the country. The State Minister called for bringing the religious seminaries to the main stream to build a national narrative. He said now the country has changed and government will stand with law enforcement agencies (LAEs). The intelligence agencies, LEAs, civil and security institutions would work in cohesion that too only to protect national interest.

Afridi vows to revive full-fledged int'l cricket in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi on Tuesday vowed to revive international cricket in Pakistan to the fullest, saying Pakistanis love cricket from core of their hearts.

Speaking to media persons at tree plantation ceremony, organized by Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Islamabad United here at Lake View Park, he appreciated Islamabad United player Luke Ronchi for being part of the team and his presence in the event.

"We want to engage youth in good initiatives being taken including tree plantation, which is need of the hour," he said.

Shehryar Afridi termed PSL's Fourth Edition Payer Draft in Federal Capital as "a big achievement," saying efforts of the government are bearing fruit and it would send a message of peace to the world and portray a soft image of Pakistan.

The minister said the PSL would go a long way as it is a part of National Security Plan to revive a full-fledged cricket in Pakistan.

Pakistan has offered unprecedented sacrifices in war against terror and to ensure peace in the country. Pakistan is a sovereign country and it needs no certificate from anyone to decide its matters in its own national interest, he said.

Responding to a question on US President Donald Trump's statement concerning Pakistan, Afridi said,"Our Prime Minister Imran Khan has given a clear-cut stance of the government in this regard.

The minister said Rabi-ul-Awal is a month of blessings and the Rehmat-ul-Lil-Alameen (SAW) conference is being arranged in Islamabad in which people from all schools of thought are participating.

In his comments on the occasion, Islamabad United player Ronchi said it was honor for him to engage in tree plantation activity in Pakistan.

Owner of Islamabad United team, Ali Naqvi, Mayor Islamabad Shiekh Ansar Aziz, Deputy Mayor Zeeshan Ali Naqvi and Islamabad United Coach, Waqar Younis were also present on the occasion.

Later, Shehryar Afridi and other dignitaries planted a sapling. The minister was also presented a poster of Luke Ronchi by Islamabad United management.

Govt to ensure business community security, address their issues on priority

RAWALPINDI, Nov 19 (APP):Minister of State for Interior 
Shehryar Afridi Monday said the federal
government would ensure security of business community and address their issues
on priority.
         Addressing office bearers of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce 
and Industry (ICCI) here he said, the government would focus and 
promote the less development areas particularly in small provinces of 
the country. "We will invest on human development," he added.
         The minister said, "We have informed the world that they 
should do more as we have already done a lot." Every Pakistani family 
has rendered great sacrifices in war against terrorism that must be 
acknowledged by the world powers, he added.
         Today, the world is creating different approaches like 
millennium development goal, sustainable development goal, ethical 
approaches and other best practices regarding development and 
humanity but, the Muslim Ummah follows the teachings of the Holy 
Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and considers it the success in the 
world and hereafter, he added.
         He said the business community is backbone of the national 
economy and all out efforts would be made to provide relief to the 
businessmen as if their business would flourish, then, the country 
would progress.
         Shahryar Afridi said the people who were at the helm of the 
affairs protected their own interests which created chaos among the 
citizens. "Today, there are so many problems in the country. Every 
Pakistani is distressed but, the incumbent government is making all 
out efforts to provide relief to the citizens and bring the country 
out of financial crisis," he added.
         He applauded efforts of business community and overseas 
Pakistan who despite
unfavorable circumstances played their role to support the country, adding,
Pakistan is fighting a war to protect the whole world and rendered 
unforgettable
sacrifices but, they were not acknowledged at any level. The world is following
a perception based approach for Pakistan, he said.
         The minister said the state would not allow anyone to loot 
the national wealth
and assets of the country on the name of religion, sect or any other approach
and establish state within the state.
         He said a loud and clear message had been given to those who 
were claiming that
they used to put tyres to get approval of their files. No one is above the law
and all the Pakistanis are equal in "Naya Pakistan", he added.
         Talking about 18th constitutional amendment he said, "We 
being Pakistanis own every
area of Pakistan and the federal government would play their role for the
resolution of the problems being faced by the citizens in any part of the
country."
         He urged the media to highlight issues keeping in view the 
best interests of the country.
         On the occasion, MNA, Sheikh Rashid Shafique, MPA Umar Butt, 
Chairman of RDA Muhammad
Arif Abbasi, elected members of ICCI and RCCI were present.