Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar Thursday said the government was in the process of consultation with the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-F in the national interest, not after being pressurised. Talking to the media after participating in anti-dengue awareness walk, organized by Social Welfare & Baitul Maal Department at Governor House, he said that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman would also agree upon dialogue process, adding that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has focused its all attentions towards Kashmir issue and revival of national economy. The protests and sit-ins at this time could cause damage to Kashmir issue and national interests, therefore, the opposition should understand that country cannot afford any damage to Kashmir cause, he said.

The Governor said that the nation was united and committed to provide all support to Kashmiris against Indian atrocities and brutalities in occupied Kashmir so that the opposition should avoid politics of protests and sit-ins for national interest. To a question, Chaudhry Sarwar said that some people always criticized the government's policies without any logic to achieve their political interests as when the government decided to hold dialogues, they questioned that why government was carrying out talks and otherwise, they criticized by saying that government was taking solo flight.

To another query, the Governor said that the government had not imposed any restriction on Maulana Fazalur Rehman's speech on media but it was Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), an independent and autonomous institution of country that imposed ban on Maulana's speech, adding that PEMRA's action should not be associated with the government.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019