Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Sunday strongly condemned unprovoked firing by Indian troops at Suchetgarh, saying Pakistan had the capability to respond the aggression. Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating a gas project in Miani Pathana, she said Pakistan had capability to safeguard its geographical boundaries.
She said that democratic institutions were working effectively and the PPP-led government would further strengthen them in the larger interest of democracy as well as the people.
Regarding the Abbottabad incident, she said it was the first time in the history of Pakistan that heads of the Pakistan army presented themselves before the parliament which reflected the latter's supremacy
The minister said Pakistan was passing through a critical juncture and "We need a sense of responsibility instead of sensationalism". Dr Firdous said that all the political parties adopted a resolution after a marathon in-camera joint session of the parliament which gave a message to the enemies of the country that "we can defend our motherland at all costs".
She stressed the need for politics of national unity and integrity rather than non-issues in the country.
"We have to eliminate anti-social elements by demonstrating national unity and oneness," she said and added that the government was utilising all available resources to end unemployment, price-hike and loadshedding.
The minister alleged that the Punjab government was promoting 'Thana Culture' in Sialkot and pledged that such kind of politics would be eliminated especially in NA-111. Firdous said that a political party in Punjab was doing its personal politics which had left it alone.
Asif Ali Zardari was the only president who visited Russia after Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on the invitation of Russian leadership, she said. Firdous Ashiq Awan also inaugurated Sui gas schemes in Miani Awana and Kothay Arayian in her constituency.