Federal Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi has called on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to approach negotiations with “a clear heart and mind.”
Expressing his thoughts on Samaa TV programme "Nadeem Malik Live" on Thursday, Abbasi said that Khawaja Asif is considerably older than him and that their relations have never been ideal. “You are such a senior politician, yet you accuse your own party [Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of operating under a ‘hybrid system,’” he said.
“This current system is not hybrid; I do not accept that. All decisions are taken by the party, and yet you claim I merely follow policy,” he added.
Abbasi said that salary increases are approved by the cabinet. “I do not want to raise salaries to the point that questions are raised,” he said.
Speaking about United States President Donald Trump, Abbasi said: "Donald Trump respects those who are powerful—just as Field Marshals have been honoured.”
He said that India is defeated and licking its wounds.
– Terrorism targets soft spots –
Minister of State Talal Chaudhry stated that terrorism is once again on the rise, with soft targets now being increasingly chosen. He said no new nationwide counter-terrorism operation is currently underway, but Operation "Azm-e-Istehkam" is ongoing and includes both kinetic and non-kinetic components.
“Economic activity depends on peace, and that is our priority,” Chaudhry said, adding that the Safe City project in Peshawar is still incomplete. While Punjab has a well-trained Counter-Terrorism Department with adequate equipment, results in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan remain limited due to weaker institutions.
Reflecting on past trends, he said terrorism had dropped close to zero between 2017 and 2018, but has since resurged. “Terrorist incidents often escalate into sectarian issues, especially during Muharram,” he cautioned.
“The number of terrorism-related incidents today mirrors those of 2012. If three to four people are martyred daily, this represents a peak in terrorist activity.”
He criticised PTI’s political conduct, saying their mistakes have resulted in reserved seats being allocated to others.
.jpg)
