Security of all imambargahs to remain on high alert till Ashura: Interior Minister

Entry and parking of cars within 1km of imambargahs, motorbikes within 1/2km banned till Muharram 10.


Web Desk November 19, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Monday that Sunday night’s blast near an Imambargah in the Abbas Town neighbourhood of Karachi was not a sectarian attack and blamed a “third force” force the incident, Express News reported.

A bomb planted on a motorcycle parked at a dairy shop near the Imambargah, went off and killed three people and injured over a dozen.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Malik said that he will continue to work to curb terrorism despite the criticism he received against blocking cellular services and motorcycle riding in the past.

The interior minister said that the bans were placed because of the information he had received regarding terror bids in Karachi and Quetta.

Malik said security of all imambargahs will remain on high alert till Muharram 10 in view of terrorist threats.

All possible measures are adopted to ensure security and peace in the country as per directions of the president and the prime minister, he told reporters.

He said that as a part of the security measures, entry and parking of cars within one kilometre of imambargahs and half a kilometre for motorcycles have been banned till Ashura.

He added that the government has given a “free hand” to the security agencies which are working to curb terror acts.

Malik said that Karachi and Quetta were being targeted to attain “specific objectives.” He said that he had told security agencies that motorcycles should be parked at least half a kilometer away from Imambargahs.

He said that unverified SIMs will be blocked by November 30, this year.

The interior minister also said that everyone in Karachi will be held responsible if any attack takes place in the city.

COMMENTS (20)

cyrus | 11 years ago | Reply

Mr Malik, who will stop this " Third Force " from devastating Pakistan? The honourable interior minister or some " Fourth Force "?

Human | 11 years ago | Reply

Please send Him all His first , second & Third forces OUT with him Since he is making us all responsible then why does he still hold office STEP down we will handle this all our selves

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