News
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Centre asks Punjab to crack down on LeJ* Meeting observes strong nexus exists between TTP faction and LeJ
* Orders probe into foreign visits of Malik Ishaq
* TTP fuelling sectarian strife in and around Quetta
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Tuesday asked the Punjab government to crack down on Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) without further delay, as most cases of sectarian violence had been claimed by the defunct organisation.
This was observed in a meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, to review law and order and security situation in the country. The meeting also ordered an investigation into the foreign visits of LeJ leader Malik Ishaq. It was observed that sectarian violence is being prompted by paid agents of elements hostile to Pakistan. The meeting was of the view that analysis of available intelligence suggested that there was a a strong nexus between the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and one of the factions of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It was also observed that the TTP was fuelling sectarian strife in and around Quetta for financial gains.
The meeting also observed that two former Harkatul Ansar terrorists were supervising and handling the killings of innocent Shias in the country, adding that one of its members, Asmat Muawia, was operating from upper and central Punjab. The participants believed there was no religious strife between Sunnis and Shias and hostile elements were trying to create a conflict between the two sects.
Moreover, the Intelligence Bureau director general was directed to submit comprehensive report based on available intelligence about the recent wave of sectarian terrorism. The two intelligence agencies – IB and Inter-Services Intelligence – have also been directed to provide real-time intelligence to the FC and police to counter sectarianism in Quetta.
During the meeting, all provincial governments were directed to send progress reports to the Interior Ministry on how many members of the proscribed organisations had been placed in Schedule 4 of ATA, enabling the federal agencies to monitor their activities. It also observed that all members of the proscribed organisations had been placed on the Exit Control List with immediate effect, while a complete investigation has also been ordered into Malik Ishaq’s visits abroad.
The meeting was told that Mastung is a haven for united members of the TTP, Baloch Liberation Army and LeJ. It was told that intelligence agencies had also identified some militant camps around the area and Frontier Corps is being directed to conduct raids there. The FC was also directed to ensure that raids were conducted only on specific targets to avoid any casualty of innocent people. The intelligence agencies also suggested there was a conspiracy to kill Hazaras to create unrest in Quetta and adjoining areas to achieve their nefarious designs.
Home secretaries of Sindh and Balochistan were directed during the meeting to monitor entry and exit points of Karachi and Quetta, respectively, to avoid further acts of terrorism in these cities. The officers posted in Balochistan from the FIA have been ordered to be relieved with immediate effect.
The FIA director general has been further directed to urgently verify the antecedents of some agents working for supervisors abroad. It was also decided that the directors general of the Federal Investigation Agency and FC would form a task force to monitor the border along Afghanistan and Iran to control human trafficking and movement of terrorists.
The meeting also reviewed security for upcoming holy month of Muharram and the interior secretary was directed to hold a preliminary meeting with all the home secretaries, inspectors general and intelligence agencies to chalk out a security plan for the entire country during that month. The FATA additional chief secretary was also directed to adopt special measures in Parachinar to avoid any untoward incident.
Earlier, MNA Mir Humayun Aziz Kurd called on Interior Minister Rehman Malik and discussed problems of his area related to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and passports. The minister assured Kurd of resolving all the issues.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk