Opposition invited for dialogue

With a view to turning the page on the bitter past the newly formed government of Shaukat Aziz on Friday invited the opposition to a dialogue "to make a new beginning" in the larger interest of Pakistan. The olive branch was offered by Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, who has been able to not only retain his portfolio but also his status as the government's chief spokesman, at his first news conference after his re-induction.
He also informed the reporters that the Federal Cabinet is being expanded on Saturday with the inclusion of a number of ministers of state. "The young parliamentarians are to be inducted in the cabinet so as to groom them to take up future responsibilities," he said.
He said that the size of the cabinet would be large because the strength of the two houses of the Parliament has increased significantly.
He said President Pervez Musharraf has successfully steered the country out of the international crises and it is now the responsibility of the political leadership to resolve internal problems. "With this in view the government is ready for negotiations with the opposition on all issues."
The information minister said that the government of Shaukat Aziz sincerely wants to bury the bitterness of the past and make a new beginning for prosperous and better Pakistan. The minister himself would be "taking the initiative and contact the opposition".
He said the new government would continue policies in the spheres of economy, defence, and foreign affairs.
He reiterated the government's resolve to continue its policy against terrorism for the sake of peace and prosperity of the country and in line with the commitment with the world community.
The minister asked all the foreign terrorists to surrender, assuring them that they would not be handed over to any third country. He said the government has not handed over any of the foreign terrorists arrested recently.
Rashid said there would no raid on any Madressah. He, however, asked the management of these institutions to get visas for any foreign student staying without valid documents or expel them.
To a question, the information minister expressed the confidence that India would engage into a meaningful process with Pakistan to resolve all issues including, occupied Kashmir.
He said Indian occupied Kashmir is a live issue and progress on other fronts depends on simultaneous progress on this issue.
Referring to 'rhetoric' from across the border, he said, Pakistan did not want to respond in the same manner, as it was its sincere desire to have dialogue in a congenial atmosphere.
While lifting ban on government advertisements for Nawa-e-Waqt group of newspapers, he called upon the newspaper owners to move forward on the issue of Wage Board Award. He said that the government was considering to establish housing colonies for journalists across the country.