Govt has received messages for talks from extremist elements: Malik

QUETTA, Oct 18 (APP): Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that the government had received some messages dispatched from extremist elements for peace talks and dialogue.Replying to a question about a news story published in the US daily Washinton Post, he said: “The government has received messages from extremist elements,” however, dialogues would start when they disarmed themselves.He was talking to mediapersons at Quetta Airport soon after his arrival here on Tuesday.He said the government was serious for progress in dialogue with militants for the cause of peace in the country and added no talks would be held if extremists continued holding arms in their hands.He said some anti-peace forces were involved in hatching conspiracies and activities to destabilize the country.
To another question, he said he had written a letter to Chief Secretary Punjab to detain Ishaq Malik of a banned organization and arrest his nine associates.
He said now Ishaq Malik had been detained and further action was being taken in this regard.
He said the government was aware about reported flying of NATO jets over Pakistani areas bordering Afghanistan and added violation of Pakistani space was being noted with observation of International Set Proceedure.
He said no one would be allowed to cast an evil eye on Pakistan and reaction would be given to any action carried out while violating sovereignty of the country.
He said that he was visiting Quetta on the instructions of the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani. “Issues of pilgrims travel to Iran, sectarianism, border surveillance and other law and order related matters would be reviewed during my Quetta visit,” the Interior Minister said and added today (Tuesday) he would be meeting with representatives of Hazara Community and different religious sects.
He said that Afghanistan Militia damaged Pakistan checkpost on border in Chaman, and said steps were being taken to enhance surveillance in border areas.
He said crimes were not only being reported from across the country but also from abroad adding that strategy was being evolved to check thses incidents.
He said that target killing of citizens in Quetta had been decreased with effective measures taken by the government.
He said that masses had given mandate to the Pakistan Peoples’ Party to govern the country and added the PPP-led government would complete its tenure.
He said the Federal Government was responsible to maintain its writ and the provincial governments to maintain law and order within their jurisdiction.
He emphasized the need to promote community policing for securing peace.

Associated Press of Pakistan