Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday said that Jaish-e Mohammad and Lashkar-e Jhangvi are involved in the suicide attacks in Pakistan and they have links with Taliban and al Qaeda. While addressing a press conference here he said that the government has clear evidences of involvement of TTP and others parties associated with al Qaeda in terrorism.
Malik said that the operation against Madaris and Mosques will also be conducted to find out who is helping these agents. He said that the government is making all out efforts to eliminate terrorism from the country. He said that the ongoing military operation in Swat and South Waziristan started with the consensus of all the political parties.
To a question regarding displeasure shown by the Prime Minister over interior ministry's competence to counter terrorism, Malik said Premier's displeasure would be taken as a guideline to evolve strategy to counter terrorism. He said our forces were not ready for this kind of guerrilla war.
On the occasion Malik announced that the government is establishing the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) as a focal institution to co-ordinate and unify the national counter terrorism efforts. "NACTA would act as a research organisation for which EU has pledged Rs 15 million euros," he added.
Malik further said that the Prime Minister has approved the idea and budget for the project has been sanctioned. Interpol has also shown interest in the NACTA, he added. Malik said a draft is also being chalked out to give legal cover to the Authority. Answering to a question he said whosoever will cast an evil eye on Pakistan's nuclear assets, will get befitting response.
Replying to another query he said that modern electronic gadgets including CCTV cameras are being installed in all the big cities of the country to counter terrorism. Coming to the implementation on the directives of Premier regarding Aghaz-e- Haqooq-e-Balochistan, Malik said seven Frontier Corps posts in Balochistan have been abolished, Kohlu cantonment has been handed over to Frontier Constabulary and qualification for the employment in Coast Guards has been lowered to Middle from Matric.
He said government is seriously considering to ignore political cases against the Baloch leaders. Interior Secretary said that Prime Minister has sought a pro-active role of the ministry of interior regarding intelligence sharing. Chairman NACTA former DG FIA Tariq Pervez speaking on the occasion said that the idea has been derived from the 3-D policy of dialogue, deterrence and development, announced by the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.
He said after becoming functional, a National Action Plan would be given, besides giving periodic threat assessment reports. He further said that liaison with foreign entities on the subject is also included in the mandate of the Authority. He further informed the media that up till now Islamabad Police has arrested 76 terrorists along with suicide bombers. Answering to a question regarding the suicide attacks in the country he said that the terrorist are doing such cowardly acts just to demoralise the people of Pakistan.
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