Federal Minister for Defence Rao Sikandar Iqbal has admitted that a deal was underway between the government and the Pakistan People's Party and he played an important role in materialising it. "All my colleagues and I were in favour of the deal as it would help strengthen the political institutions of the country", he said.
He was talking to reporters after he administered oath to the newly elected office bearers of the Pakistan Military Accounts Department Employees Association at CMA Complex here on Tuesday. Among others, Military Accountant General Salahuddin, Chief Controller of Military Accounts Muzamil Sultan Tayyab and officers of the department were also present on the occasion.
The minister said that he has good relationship with both President Musharraf and the PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto and he played his role in bridging the gap between the two leaders. Rao said that some people were creating confusion about the deal between the government and the PPP but their efforts would be frustrated as matters are nearing logical conclusion.
Earlier, addressing the oath-taking ceremony, the federal defence minister said that extremist involved in anti-state activities should be rejected. These misguided people are main hurdle in the way to progress and prosperity in Pakistan, he observed.
These people, he said, are not sincere with the country as they do not like to see Pakistan as an enlightened country among the comity of nations. But, he added, their nefarious designs would be frustrated by the people who would not allow anyone to misuse the name of Islam.
Rao said that President Musharraf successfully pulled the country out of economic and political crises and leading it to progress and prosperity. The fruit of progress and economic stability is now reaching the common people, as a decline has been seen in poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. Due to prudent economic policies and tireless efforts to introduce soft image of Pakistan, country has entered into a new era of development and prosperity and its credit goes to President Musharraf, he said.
He said the government has been working to improve living standards of the people and low income groups by providing them employment and education. Several other measures have been taken for uplift of poor and downtrodden segments of the society, he added. He assured the CMA employees that their genuine problems would be addressed. He said that the employees were playing important role in serving the armed forces of Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Raja Ashraf Hussain, chairman, Military Accounts Employees Association informed the minister about working of the association and put before him several demands for the betterment of the organisation.
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