Attacks on Sui gasfield are hidden attempts by enemies: Pak minister

Addressing the Pakistani community at the Pakistan Sports and Recreation Centre during a brief visit to Dubai on Saturday, the minister said that the Rs130 billion Gwadar Project held more importance than Sui, located in Balochistan, the resource-rich province which has seen multiple attacks on rail tracks and several bomb explosions since early this month.

Shaikh Rashid, who is well-known for his candid and heated outbursts, also spoke about the Baghlihar Dam issue with India.

“India’s stand on the issue has disappointed the Pakistani nation who expected a better response with regard to the Indus Water Treaty, and that is the reason why we have taken the issue to the world court,” said the minister.

Speaking about Press freedom, the minister informed that 37 newspapers had been allowed to start their channels, while three DTH channels had also been allowed.

“The year 2005 will be the ‘Year of the Media’, as within two years, 300 TV channels and 58 radio channels will be competing with each other in Pakistan. Some PTV channels might also be privatised this year,” he said.

Justifying the Wana operation, Shaikh Rashid said that if the Pakistani army had not intervened, the foreigners might have taken over.

“Nearly 80 per cent of the problem has been resolved in Wana,” he explained.

“Pakistan is the only Islamic power in the world,” he said, adding that this is the reason we have saved our scientists. “Dr Qadeer was and is a hero of the country, and that is the reason why Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf admitted that he made a mistake for which the country should not suffer,” he added.

On the occasion, the community briefed the minister on the problems they faced, including the absence of higher institutions of education in the UAE, to which Pakistani Consul-General Amanullah Larik said that a case study was in progress to bring higher institutions to the UAE.