Harsh remarks do not benefit anyone: Sherry

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman on Wednesday called for keeping national interests supreme, rather than pursuing politics of confrontation and exchanging harsh remarks. “Confrontational politics and exchange of harsh remarks are not in favour of anyone,” said Sherry while talking to the media at the conclusion of her address on women’s economic empowerment that she delivered at a local seminar held here Wednesday. “Rather, the need of the hour is to strengthen democratic systems for the progress of the country. The seminar was organised by the National Democratic Institute for members of the National Assembly’s Women Caucus. “There is a need to find mutually beneficial ways that can help settle political differences and create a conducive environment for democracy to flourish in Pakistan,” said Sherry, adding that the President and the Prime Minister had consistently stressed upon the need for adopting the path of political reconciliation.

“It was Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who introduced the politics of reconciliation to pull the country out of crisis,” said the Federal Information Minister. “This very move of Mohtarma faced some criticism, but ultimately elections were held and democratic forces managed to get rid of dictatorship without any agitation,” she added.Sherry said that the PPP, PML-N and other democratic forces had a very active role to play. “We have faced many hardships, faced imprisonments and given sacrifices along the way but harsh remarks and inappropriate behaviour leads to confrontation that we can ill-afford,” she said.Condemning the Lahore attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team as highly unfortunate, Sherry said that the security in place had prevented the terrorists from taking the lives of their primary targets, the players.

“Lahore’s courageous police personnel laid down their lives in the line of duty to protect the Sri Lankan players and that is the strongest demonstration of the government’s strong security arrangements being in place,” said the minister.Sherry also highlighted the fact that Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister was visiting Pakistan to extend full support of his government with investigations into the incident. “We welcome and appreciate the Sri Lankan government’s supportive stance which further strengthens bilateral relations between our two countries,” said Sherry.