Shahbaz, Malik: a new war of words?

Rehman Malik said that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi were involved in attacks on the minorities' worship places in Model Town.

Responding to Interior Minister Rehman Malik's statement of Taliban's presence in Punjab, Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has alleged that Malik is fueling differences among provinces.

In response, Rehman Malik tweeted the following:

@SenRehmanMalik I don't understand how Shahbaz Sharif can term my hard-hitting stance against the taliban as creation of fight between the provinces

He also added:

@SenRehmanMalik The 2 terrorist involved in lahore attacks belong from muzaffargarh and rahimyarkhan. Let somebody deny it, if it is wrong.

@SenRehmanMalik The terrorist, irrespective of their origin from any province, deserve no mercy. They r the enemies of Pakistan, Islam and humanity.

Shahbaz had strongly condemned Malik's allegations stating that "Punjabi Taliban" is a new terminology for the public, and that the nation will have to stand united against such elements.

He also said that the interior minister is being dictated to make such statements.

Earlier, Rehman Malik had said that the attack on Lahore's Jinnah Hospital were carried out by the same terrorists who attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team.

According to Rehman Malik, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi were involved in attacks on the minorities' worship places in Model Town and Garhi Shahu on Friday.

He said that the federal government has directed the Punjab government to take action against terror elements taking refuge in the province.

Later, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the Jinnah Hospital tragedy has cast a serious doubt, yet again, on the performance of law and order agencies.

He said this while presiding over a meeting held at the CM house to discuss the law and order situation in the province. He said that security agencies should utilize all resources to ensure public security, and insisted that a sense of responsibility is the need of the hour.

He also said that the nation must stand united in these difficult times. Only then the war against terror can be won.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: June 02, 2010

The original story misquoted Interior Minister Rehman Malik as saying both Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Lashkar-e-Taiba were involved in the Lahore attack. Malik only cited Lashkar-e-Jhangvi's involvement in the attack.