Meritocracy, justice and democracy are guiding principles of Pakistan: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that meritocracy and equation are guiding principles of Pakistan as the Founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah wanted a state based on research, democracy, justice and education.
In an interview with Turkish News Channel, he said that killing of Hazara community in Much is a very unfortunate incident. He lamented that Hazara community is being targeted by the militants and the IS claimed the recent killing of the minority community. He added that the government will provide support for the protection of the Hazara people.
The prime minister said that minorities enjoy equal rights in Pakistan as the constitution guarantees basic rights of all communities in the country. He said that the government will also ensure protection of all minorities and communities.
The premier said that he is well-aware of Islamophobia in the western world. He said that western communities are not realising and understanding the sentiments of Muslim Ummah about the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
PM Imran said that if the values of Muslims are targeted, adverse reaction is imminent. He said the United Nations and world community should play their due role in restricting the right of freedom of speech against holy personalities and making mockery of Muslims.
He said that the west must not support making blasphemous caricatures because its hurts the Muslims all over world.
PM Imran said that India is being ruled by an RSS inspired Modi Government while former Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpaye always talked about peace. He said that Modi government thinks that India is only for Hindus and there is no space for Muslims and other minorities there.
The premier said that RSS was inspired by Hitler and Nazis and Mahatma Gandhi was also assassinated by it.
He said that Modi is responsible for massacre of Muslims in Gujarat in 2002 where thousands of Muslims were butchered during his tenure as chief minister and he allowed the RSS to kill Muslims for three days.
He also said that Kashmir issue is a lingering dispute between Pakistan and India. He further said that United Nations Security Council promised with Kashmir for providing an opportunity to decide about their future, but India is the main hurdle in conducting referendum.
PM Imran said that Mod-led government, after illegal and unilateral action of August 5, 2019, tried to change the demography of Kashmir to reduce Muslim majority in the valley.
He said that senior Kashmir leadership has been detained by India. He added that war is not a solution of dispute between two nuclear powers and, therefore, Pakistan is sensitising the world community about Kashmir dispute and demands to conduct referendum as promised the world body to Kashmiris.
The premier said that United States President Donald Trump offered Pakistan and India to play a mediation rule between the two countries, but India refused to accept. He said that Pakistan is waiting resumption of position of Joe Biden and is expecting such role. He also said that Islamabad wants relations with the US on equal basis. He further said that Pakistan has given sacrifices for the US and paid a huge price for that, but it always blamed Pakistan. He added that Pakistan has lost 70,000 people during war on terror and faced suicide attacks within the country.
Replying to a question about relations with Israel, PM Imran said that Pakistan cannot recognise Israel until resolution of Palestine dispute according to aspiration of Palestinians. He said that Kashmir and Palestine are similar disputes as Israel has occupied the Palestinian territory just like India acted the same on Kashmiris homeland.
The prime minister said that the government and the people of Pakistan have emotional relations with Kashmiris and Palestinians and Islamabad will never recognise Israel. He said that Pakistan has a very straightforward position, and it was our founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who was very clear that there has to be just settlement, a homeland for Palestinians before Pakistan can recognise Israel.
PM Imran said that Pakistan handled the Covid-19 situation through an integrated strategy of smart lockdown on hot-spots in the country to protect the economy and needy people both. He said that Pakistan’s economy cannot sustain the regular lockdown. He also said that the government, despite financial constraints, announced several packages and incentives for different sectors aiming to reduce adverse impacts of the pandemic. He further said that the government is in touch with China for Covid-19 vaccination in phases on priority basis.
PM Imran said that Pakistan and Turkey have a historical background of relationship and these relations will enhance more in coming days. He added that Pakistan never forget the Turkish and Malaysian support on Kashmir cause after Indian illegal act of August 5, 2019.