ISLAMABAD: Information Minister, Pervez Rashid has resigned amid controversy over leakage of the details of a security meeting, officials said Saturday.
Musadaq Malik, spokesman for the Prime Minister, confirmed that the Prime Minister had sought resignation from the Information Minister.
A statement from the Prime Minister Office said the planned story related to the National Security Council and the National Action Plan meetings published in Daily Dawn on 6th of October was a ‘breach of national security.’
‘Evidence available so far points to a lapse on part of the Information Minister who has been directed to step down from office to enable holding of an independent and detailed inquiry,’ the statement said.
The PM office said that an inquiry committee including senior officers of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Military Intelligence and Intelligence Bureau is being formed by the government of Pakistan to clearly apportion blame, identify interests and motives and expose all those responsible for this episode for stern action in national interest.
Spokesman for the PM said that the former Information Minister cannot be held responsible for the leakage of the information unless the investigation is completed.
‘The investigation is underway and will be completed soon. Results of the investigation would be made public,’ he said, adding that the Interior Minister will announce details of the matter at a press conference.
The Interior Ministry had started investigation as to who shared sensitive information of a meeting that was presided over by the Prime Minister and was attended by the top military leadership and key ministers.
A leading English daily had published details of the meeting which had given an impression that there are ‘differences over policies between the political and military leaders.’
Later the government and military took serious note of the report and the government initially barred the reporter from leaving the country. The order was later withdrawn.