Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad has advised former three-time prime minister and PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif not to return to Pakistan for two years.
In an exclusive interview with 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday, Sheikh Rasheed said “Nawaz Sharif should stay back in London and cherish burgers. Take a decision about coming back in two years. He will go straight to prison if he returns now.”
He further said “Nawaz Sharif will think deep because he is a businessman.”
When asked about the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) possible march towards Islamabad, the Interior Minister maintained “I hope that the Opposition will not want to face further mess by resorting to making irresponsible and unnecessary decisions.”
To another question, the interior minister said so far 13, 000 people had entered Pakistan from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover of Kabul.
“There is peace at all border crossings between the two countries and trade is also underway,” he said, adding that the people arriving at Torkham crossing for entry into the country were being issued visas on the spot.
He said there was a complete calm at the Torkham border crossing and the trade was taking place smoothly.
He told 24News TV channel that a special assignment had been given to the interior ministry regarding border management.
“Special departments such as Crisis Management Cell and Helpline 911 have been formed to avert any commotion or unpleasant incident at the border,” Sheikh Rasheed informed.
He said that all concerned departments and chief secretaries of all the four provinces will be linked through the Cell, which would keep an eye on all security-related issues in the areas bordering Afghanistan.
The Interior Minister also disclosed “The government will install 2,000 more cameras in Islamabad which will be part of the Safe City Project.”
The minister expressed the hope that the Taliban would fulfil their commitment that they would not allow the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to use the Afghan soil against Pakistan.
He said Pakistan was fully aware that self-styled Islamic State or Daesh was present in Afghanistan and that too close to its border. “But we are fully prepared to deal with any eventuality,” he stated categorically.
Reporter Awais Kiani