Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said that the provinces have been directed to beef up security arrangements. Talking to a private TV channel, he said the government was taking all possible steps for protection of mosques and Imambargahs in the country. To a question, the minister said there was a possibility of connection between recent incidents in Islamabad and Karachi.
To another question, he said the government is checking terrorism and a number of terrorists have been arrested.
Several cases were pre-empted, he said adding, unfortunately, these two incidents took place.
The minister said terrorists wanted to create law and order situation in the country, adding they are trying to create sectarianism in the country.
To a question he said in the Karachi incident, police deterred the attackers and if police personnel were not present there then casualties could have been more.
Replying to a question, Sherpao said investigation in Bari Imam incident was under way, adding: "We have got some leads which are further being worked out."
He hoped that the cases would soon be solved.
To a question about local bodies elections he said the government was making efforts to avoid recurrence of such incidents.
Sherpao said the government wanted to hold local bodies elections in a peaceful atmosphere so that objectives of the elections could be achieved.
While expressing his grief over the murder of the Naib Amir Jammat-e-Islami Karachi, Aslam Mujahid, he said it is a very tragic incident.