QUETTA: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said foreign intelligence agencies were involved in violence in Balochistan but that the security situation had improved due to measures taken by the government.
Malik was addressing a news conference Wednesday along with Federal Information Minister, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, after the federal cabinet meeting at the Chief Minister Secretariat.
“I had a meeting with the ISI and MI to discuss target killings and the recovery of bullet-riddled bodies in Balochistan. I have proof that foreign intelligence agencies are involved in Balochistan and have nefarious designs. I have information of people who received money to throw hand grenades and kill innocent people in Balochistan,” Malik stated, adding that the situation was under control now and peace was being secured in the province.
Malik said the government was ready for dialogue with angry Baloch nationalists. “No one will be allowed to set the Pakistan flag on fire. Pakistan will not disintegrate; it was created to live forever. Some foreign forces are creating hatred in Balochistan because they do not want to see Pakistan as a stable and developed state.” He said fewer incidents of target killings were being reported in Balochistan now and the law and order situation had improved. “Those belonging to any nationality, and who have been living in Balochistan for a long time, have rights of citizens,” he said, adding that 35 check posts of the FC Balochistan had been abolished and Coast Guards personnel limited along the coastline. —PPI
Online adds: Speaking about the situation in Karachi, the interior minister said that the reported figure of deaths due to target killing was not accurate. He said that when it was reported that 100 people had been killed in target killings, investigations revealed that only 30 were victims of targeted violence while 70 others died at the hands of their wives or girlfriends.
The interior minister appreciated the performance of the Peoples Youth Organisation (PYO) Balochistan. “Go into the streets and convince the people who are working for hostile elements and bring them to the main ambit,” Malik said.
According to a press release issued here on Wednesday, PYO President Peoples Youth Organization Balochistan, Ali Ahmed, and other senior members of the Organisation, called on the interior minister at the Chief Minister’s House, Quetta.
Malik gave the youth of all districts a target for the registration of new youth members for PPP and also promised that the youth would be looked after and must work hard since they were the future leaders of the PPP.
Malik also appointed Ali Ahmed as the Coordinator of the Ministry of Interior and constituted three committees to help and assist the people in matters relating to FIA, Nadra and the Passport Office.
Source: http://paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?241506
