ISLAMABAD, November 1: Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday made it clear that the government intends to avoid use of force against protesters, saying the state’s leniency should not be mistaken for weakness.
“The state’s intent to avoid use of force to remove protesters must not be construed as a sign of weakness,” the minister said.
He was addressing a news conference in Islamabad while flanked by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Khusro Bakhtiar.
Fawad further said the opposition parties have been taken into confidence on the ongoing protests following the verdict in the Aasia Bibi case.
“No one can be allowed to dictate the government,” Fawad said while . “Such elements must not pose a challenge to the government or clash with the state.”
The minister advised the protesters to chose the path of the Constitution and the law. “Those challenging the government shouldn’t be under any wrong impression,” he said.
Fawad said the government, the prime ministers and the ministers have immense love for the Prophet (PBUH), saying no one should have any doubt about that.
To a question, the information minister confirmed that talks with the protesters are ongoing to normalise the law and order situation in the country. The Supreme Court on Wednesday acquitted Aasia Bibi – a Christian woman accused of blasphemy in 2010 and sentenced to death – and set aside an earlier judgment passed by a lower court.-Agencies
