QUETTA, DEC 28 (DNA) – Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has on Thursday asked the opposition and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri to work for national unity instead of sit-ins.

The minister expressed his views while talking to media in Quetta and said negative politics should be abandoned in order to deal with the challenges that Pakistan is facing.

He urged PAT chief to summon an All Parties Conference (APC) for Pakistan’s solidarity instead of planning to stage a sit-in. It is the time for national progress, not for raising protests.

He said the back of terrorists has been broken and their networks have also been dismantled across the country. He, however, reiterated the firm determination to continue operations against terrorism till elimination of last militant in the country.

The Interior Minister expressed concern over the growing influence of Daesh in Afghanistan despite presence of the US led NATO forces in that country.

He said the presence of Daesh in Afghanistan is posing a serious threat to security of not only Afghanistan and Pakistan but also to the entire region.

Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan wants to live in peace with all the neighboring countries especially, India but its desire for peace should not be taken as its weakness.

He said India is constantly violating the cease fire agreement by resorting to unprovoked firing and mortar shelling along the Line of Control.