The government has declared 35 districts as sensitive and taken all the precautionary measures to maintain law and order situation during Muharram in the districts.
Briefing newsmen in Islamabad on Tuesday, the Interior Ministry Spokesman Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema (Retd) said steps have been taken for safety of religious leaders as well as Imambargahs and processions.
He said with the co-operation of provincial governments, all security agencies have been directed to remain on high alert to maintain sectarian harmony and peace during Muharram.
"Wherever necessary the government has beefed up the deployment of security personnel in sensitive areas across the country keeping in view the main activities that take place throughout the month." He said in all 35 districts across the country have been declared as sensitive.
He pointed out that Ashura Peace Committees have also been activated down to city and town levels. He said there is a two-fold threat in NWFP where sectarian tension as well as militant threat exists. He said the security elements have been beefed up and reinforced there.
Cheema said operations in Swat Valley will continue against the remnants of the militants extremists till the people are able to live in peace and tranquillity and conduct their normal activities without undue fear. To a question, he said, if the terrorists halt their terrorist activities keeping in view the sanctity of the Muharram, then the government can think of stopping the operations there.
The spokesman said investigation into the tragic event of December 27 outside Liaquatbagh in Rawalpindi is progress and the team from the Scotland Yard is assisting the probe.
He said we all should await the results of the investigation, which the government will share with the people. Answering a question, he said the team of Scotland Yard is carrying out investigation independently and there are no restrictions on it.
The team is investigating the incident from all aspects and hoped they will reach to the facts soon. He said our own team comprising professionals is also carrying out investigations and working day and night.
He rejected the reports that a culprit involved in firing on Benazir Bhutto has been identified. He said nor any suicide bomber has been identified nor arrests have been made in this regard. He said no timeframe has been given to the Scotland Yard team however, he said, the government has requested them to complete their investigations as soon as possible so that facts can be presented to the people.
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