‘CIA not conducting operation in Pakistan nor allowed to do so’

ISLAMABAD: United States Central Intelligence Agency CIA is not conducting any operation inside Pakistan nor will be allowed to do so, says Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

Pakistan is a sovereign state and its law enforcement agencies are conducting operation against illegal immigrants and those living despite expiry of their visa have been deported, he told newsmen Saturday outside the parliament house.

He urged people to stand with national security agencies. “Criticism on them without any evidence is unjustified as they are fighting for survival of the country. Timely reporting about 1100 cases by the agencies saved the nation from terrorists activities,” he stated.

Malik said news about deleting murdered journalist Saleem Shahzad’s mobile phone data was “totally wrong. A commission has been formed to probe his killing.”

He said maintenance of law and order situation is responsibility of the provinces. “Rangers were deployed in Karachi on request of Sindh government to assist Police force. Police strength is not enough to control law and order situation in the province. It will be unfair to blame whole Rangers personnel for an individual action. In last five months about 48 police personnel embraced Shahadat while taking action against criminals.”

He said all checkposts in Islamabad have been restored and police force deployed to check people without any discrimination. “We will take all possible measures to protect lives and propriety of the people.”

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2011