Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azeem Khan on Tuesday said that the government was using all peaceful means to settle the Jamia Hafsa issue which has no linkage with the incidents in some parts of the tribal areas.
Responding to various questions of media representatives after attending a seminar on Child Labour, he said that the government always encouraged dialogue and resolution of issues through peaceful channels.
He said sanctity of the mosque and safety of students was the obvious reason for not taking action against the seminary. But he warned that no one should consider it a weakness of the government as it has all the means to establish its writ wherever it is challenged.
"The government will use all options and use of force would be employed as the last step," he added. Replying to another question he said no one has the authority to abduct people, burn CDs and shops and impose their thinking on others by force.
He said the issue has almost been resolved as PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has taken the initiative. The matter relating to encroachment on a piece of land by Jamia Hafsa administration was a technical issue which was being sorted out by the Capital Development Authority, he added. Replying to a question about Jamali's resignation from PML party the minister said he tendered it due to his personal reasons and certain concerns.
But the concerns were removed and all the members including PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain rejected the resignation, he added. The minister said PML is the largest democratic party in the country which always encouraged debate and discussions on party matters. "Unlike those parties whose leadership is sitting outside the country and whose members have the limitations not to speak against party decisions, PML always gives priority to expression of opinion which is the real essence of a democratic system," he added. The minister said Jamali's statement was misinterpreted by a section of the media as he never spoke about the presidential reference.