Interior Minister Rehman Malik warns of more attacks during Muharram

Condemning blasts in Karachi and Rawalpindi, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has warned that militants were preparing to target more sites across Pakistan in order to sabotage the ongoing Developing Eight (D-8) Summit.

The minister stated that miscreant elements are trying to destabilize the country, adding that they would not be able to succeed in their attempt. He further said that they were security alerts in the capital and the law enforcement authorities were ready to sabotage any attempt from the terrorist elements.

He noted, “The law enforcement agencies have received reports that more miscreants moved out from Miranshah and entered different cities. “After arrest of a 12-year-old boy in Peshawar, law enforcement agencies had some fresh information about terrorists.”

Malik was of the opinion that ban on mobile phone service in Islamabad on 9^th and 10^th Muharram was yet to be decided; however the Army would be called for maintenance of peace and tranquility in the city. Motorcyclists would not be allowed to participate in mourning processions, he added.

He said he had directed the home secretary of Sindh that cars and motorcycles should be parked at least 1,000 yards away from Imambargahs. He said that the areas which were declared vulnerable according to intelligence reports would be closely monitored and a three-layer security will be put into place.

Malik added, “I got the vulnerable areas identified by the home secretary of Sindh and directed him that motorcycles should be kept away from a radius of half kilometers. Information regarding the residents of those areas will be obtained and only they will be allowed to take their motorcycles home.”

Malik said that he had also briefed the Balochistan administration regarding the security arrangements. “They [the Balochistan administration] was so happy to hear about the arrangements that they told me ban cellular services as long as the situation is under control,” he chuckled and added that he had assured them that the bans were only temporary.

He said that killings were brought down by 75% in Quetta and that the security situation in the city and surrounding cities had become better.

Replying to a query about Ajmal Kassab, he said the heirs of Ajmal had not communicated with the government but it would discuss the matter with Indian authorities to take back his corpse to Pakistan.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Nov 22 2012. Filed under Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.