News
Monday, September 24, 2012
‘Some elements in protesters’ guise wanted to topple govt’
* Interior minister says terrorists wanted to take government hostage
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Sunday said that some elements in the guise of protesters wanted to topple the government on the Ishq-e-Rasool Day.
Talking to reporters, Malik said that every Muslim had a right to protest against the blasphemous film but plundering and looting under the guise of rallies on the Ishq-e-Rasool Day was against the true spirit of Islam and was unacceptable. He said the government had ordered deployment of forces on important and sensitive points to keep the law and order situation under control. “We have gathered information on scientific lines that security forces remained calm and composed during the protests and that the aggression was started by some protesters,” he said, adding that members of banned outfits, who had their own agenda, also came out during the protest rallies. The terrorists wanted to take the government hostage but they had to face defeat, he said.
The interior minister said that these destructive elements had nothing to do with the honour of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), rather their motto was looting and plundering the public property in order to satisfy their personal greed. He said terrorists wanted to turn Pakistan into Afghanistan by imposing their nefarious designs, but they must keep in mind that their tactics would be foiled with full force.
“Pakistan is a responsible state and we are bound to provide security to foreign diplomats in accordance with the international law,” he said. “Some elements want to ignite terror and horror in the name of religion. It is undoubtedly against the true spirit of Islam which gives lesson of peace and love for humanity regardless of caste, creed and colour,” Malik said.
He appealed to the national leadership to realise the gravity of the situation and not encourage the enemies of the country. It should be clear to everyone that Pakistan could become a strong, stable and responsible state with the rule of law, or it would be pushed towards civil war, he warned.
While lamenting the looting and plundering in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, he said that law enforcement agencies tried their best to maintain law and order but terrorists compelled them to use force. Malik said the holiday on Friday to observe the Ishq-e-Rasool Day was announced to send a message to the world that we are united in our protest against blasphemy.
Criticising the Punjab rulers, he said the Punjab government failed to fulfil its responsibilities, adding that he had proofs that the provincial administration indulged in wilful negligence and allowed protesters to enter Islamabad. Defending the decision to declare Friday a holiday, he said there would have been much more damage had it been a working day. Malik also said that a committee had been formed to probe the burning of a church in Mardan. He condemned the incident of burning of the church, saying it was contrary to the teachings of Islam which called for respecting places of worship of all religions. He said security would be provided to all the churches in the country. The interior minister said he would raise the issue of the blasphemous film at the upcoming SAARC conference, which is to be held in Maldives. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk