'It is not only the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), the whole country is gripped by the scourge of terrorism,' the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior, Rehman Malik has said. The government is not oblivious of these developments and all-out efforts are being made to root out terrorism and extremism, he said.
Malki was addressing the passing out parade of the sixth batch of Northern Area Scouts at Northern Areas Infantry Centre at Bunji (Gilgit), says a press release issued on Monday. 'The time has come for every segment of the society to take bold initiatives to eradicate terrorism and we will be in a position to get rid of this menace by showing complete solidarity and unity,' he maintained.
The federal government has decided to raise a new wing of the Northern Area Scouts and equip them with modern and sophisticated weapons, Malik said in his speech. 'The new wing will be given all allowances and privileges equal to Pakistan Army,' he added. Further, he announced that 100 personnel of the scouts would be attached to FIA's anti-terrorism wing. The Director General, Northern Area Scouts, Brigadier Syed Azmat Ali also spoke on the occasion.