Malik sees 'invisible' force

Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Monday said that an invisible force was engaged in disrupting Karachi and Quetta peace on sectarian basis, but it would not succeed in its nefarious designs. Talking to media persons after a meeting with Ulema from different schools of thought here, Rehman Malik said that there was no sectarian clash in the two cities but some enemies of the country were trying to give it a sectarian colour.
The law enforcement agencies are gathering information and soon the names of those, who are indulged in such negative activities, will be revealed, he added. He said that the basic objective of meeting Ulema was to formulate a strategy to control law and order situation, especially during Muharram. Announcing the decisions taken during the meeting, Maulana Hanif Jalandhari said that all the Ulema would play a positive role for the promotion of religious harmony during Muharram and avoid hurting sentiments of people belonging to different schools of thought. The Ulema will spread the message of peace and unity during Muharram and condemn bloodshed, he added. He said that there was consensus among the Ulema that the terrorists were the enemies of Islam, humanity and Pakistan.
He said the meeting also appealed to the print and electronic media not to publish or telecast provocative reports and statements, and also avoid issuing disheartening material. Hanif Jalandhari said that the meeting also decided that a representative of Ulema from all sects would meet media owners, asking them not to telecast provocative live programmes rather release them after proper editing. He said the meeting decided that a religious solidarity committee having members from all the sects would be constituted. Rehman Malik said that he would soon establish a mechanism so as to ensure liaison with the Ulema. The meeting decided that the use of loudspeakers should be under the relevant law while a strong system would be established between Ulema and law enforcement agencies in all the major cities and towns to counter terrorism and incidents of violence.
The meeting condemned the killing of innocent students of a Madrassa in Karachi. It was also decided that the government would provide security to the Madaris and mosques in the country. Raids on Madaris would be avoided and if required, those should be conducted in consultation with the Madrassa administrator, he added. The meeting expressed concerns over the situation in Karachi and agreed that the government should take action against the perpetrators irrespective of their political affiliation. The meeting asked the Parliament to pass the anti terrorism act as early as possible. The meeting was attended by Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman, Syed Niaz Hussain Naqvi, Muhammad Yasin Zafar, Abdul Malik, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman and Hafiz Syed Qutab.-PR