RAWALPINDI: (APP) Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid Tuesday said that Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan could not be trusted by the nation as in the past he sold Pakistan cricket team to Kerry Packer for the sake of money.
Talking to media here after hosting an Iftar-dinner for the children of Anjuman Faizul Islam on the occasion of World Orphan Day, he said similar offer of Kerry Packer was refused by the Indian captain.
He said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was supervising all affairs and issuing instructions to concerned officials despite his surgery. The doctors have expressed their satisfaction over the pace of recovery of Prime Minister health, he added.
Pervaiz Rashid said the Prime Minister will celebrate the Eid-ul Fitr with the people of Pakistan.
Prayers of people of Pakistan were with the Prime Minister and he was regaining his health quickly, he added.
The minister said Nawaz Sharif had stated that Allah gave him health and life for the people of Pakistan and he would continue struggle for overcoming the challenges faced by Pakistan.
Pervaiz Rashid said the Prime Minister also said he would face those who were trying to turn successes of Pakistan into failure.
There were elements who were not happy that Pakistan had become self-reliant in defence and now was becoming economically self-reliant, he added.
The minister said it was proof of implementation of charter of democracy that Asif Zardari completed his five years as President and his party remained in power for five years and it was for the first time a democratically elected government completed its term.
Only dictators enjoyed tenures of more than five years in Pakistan, he added.
The minister said fair Terms of Reference should be made and these TORS should not smack of revenge but should meet the demands of justice.
Nawaz Sharif was Prime Minister in 1990, 1997 and 2013 and Pakistan achieved success in sectors of energy, infrastructure, motorways and ports, he said adding opposition should point out the project which they think was not executed honestly.
Pervez Musharraf, Imran Khan and his opponents could not point fingers at the projects initiated by Pakistan Muslim League(N).
The minister said sit-ins of Tahirul Qadri will not make a difference and he was listening to the threats of deadlines of Imran Khan since 2013.
The minister said Advisor on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, who accompanied him to London visit,gave a briefing to the Prime Minister on Afghan-Pakistan relations.
Pervaiz Rashid said regarding the appointments of members of Election Commission of Pakistan, he received guidelines from the Prime Minister.
The PM instructed that those members should be elected who would conduct free, fair and transparent elections and have the confidence of all the political parties.
Pervaiz Rashid said a historic agriculture package was given to the farmers which was appreciated by the entire agricultural community.
Earlier in his address Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid urged people to provide financial assistance only to those institutions that are engaged in promoting unity and harmony and building peaceful and prosperous Pakistan.
The Minister said in the present circumstances, it is incumbent upon every citizen to exercise utmost care in giving out donations to different institutions and ensure that his contribution is not going to organisations that spread anarchy and sow seeds of hatred and give suicide jackets to children.
He said that living nations do not leave their orphans at the mercy of the circumstances and provide them all the necessities of life.The minister said that the Anjuman Faizul Islam has saved the orphan children from the sense of deprivation among them and properly looking after orphan children and imparting them education.
The Minister asked orphans not to entertain the idea that absence of parents would create hurdles in the way of their progress and prosperity. He said entire Pakistan is at their back and they should not suffer from sense of deprivation on this account.