Qureshi asks opposition to fulfill its desire for protest after Eid

MULTAN: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday asked opposition parties to fulfill their desire for a protest against the government after Eid.

Speaking to media here, the foreign minister said previously the same individuals used to be against protest and sit-ins.

"They used to term it harmful for democracy, but today, they are bent upon doing all this," he said. "If the protest benefits the country then the opposition should go ahead with it after Eid."

Commenting on the soaring price of dollar, Qureshi said it was the job of the State Bank of Pakistan's governor to monitor the increase in dollar's worth.

He, however, said that Governor SBP Reza Baqir was a professional man, not political.

"He (Baqir) has returned to Pakistan leaving a massive salary and should be given a chance," the minister said.

He also said that Shabbar Zaidi, honourary chairman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), has never held a government post.

"Restoration of investors' trust is what we need, and the team we have built would boost investors' confidence," Qureshi maintained.

He further said the new law pertaining to local bodies had been enacted and the government would hold the local body elections under the same law.

The minister also said that making South Punjab a province was part of his party's manifesto.