GUJRAT, Feb 7: Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar has said: “Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan’s release is our domestic issue which we will tackle agreeably so as to allay all fears of the world community”.

Talking to Dawn here on Saturday, Mr Mukhtar said the government would pay whatever amount required for the probe of the Benazir Bhutto case by the United Nations because her death was an irreparable loss to the country.

“Whether the killers or executors are arrested or they may flee, but it should be investigated who were behind the conspiracy that led to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto”, the defence minister said.

About the Swat scenario, he said that insurgents wanted to weaken the country but the situation would soon be brought under control.

Regarding the policies of the new US administration, Mr Mukhtar said that Senator John Kerry and Joe Biden had said that US President Barack Obama wanted to triple the Pakistan aid which signaled changes in its policies.

The defence minister said that for the first time the United Kingdom and the US president had explicitly stated for the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

He said relations with India stood at the point where it was before the Mumbai attacks and the future relations depended on the outcome of the attack report.

The defence minister later inaugurated a water filtration plant in the downtown area of Chowk Mana. PPP MNA Sameena Fakhar Pagganwala provided the funds.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mukhtar vowed to continue striving for the betterment of the people of his constituency.

Opinion

Editorial

Economic plan?
Updated 15 Dec, 2024

Economic plan?

So long as the government does not realise that it needs to put its own house in order, growth will remain anaemic and the world will be reluctant to help.
Registration tussle
15 Dec, 2024

Registration tussle

MAULANA Fazlur Rehman appears to be having trouble digesting the fact that he was taken for a ride. The government,...
Dangerous overreach
15 Dec, 2024

Dangerous overreach

THE latest wave of arrests and cases filed against journalists and social media users under Peca marks an alarming...
Half measures
Updated 14 Dec, 2024

Half measures

The question remains: Were suspects' prolonged detention, subsequent trial, and punishments ever legal in eyes of the law?
Engaging with Kabul
14 Dec, 2024

Engaging with Kabul

WHILE relations with the Afghan Taliban have been testy of late, mainly because of the feeling in Islamabad that the...
Truant ministers
Updated 14 Dec, 2024

Truant ministers

LAWMAKERS from both the opposition and treasury benches have been up in arms about what they see as cabinet...