File photo of Rehman Malik. PHOTO: APP/FILE
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has claimed that the suspension of cellular services on Friday was the reason Eid Miladun Nabi (pbuh) was observed peacefully across the country.
“There was not a single bomb blast in Quetta or a targeted killing in Karachi on Friday,” he told lawmakers in the National Assembly on Saturday.
Shifting blame for terrorism on illegal mobile phone SIMs, Malik went as far as saying “mobile phones are bombs”. Around 150,000 SIMs have been issued illegally across the country, he said, adding that cellular companies have been asked to verify the particulars of their subscribers by February 28.
The minister also suggested the house adopt a resolution against unauthorised SIMs and sought proposals for punishing violators. He lamented that despite repeated requests, the anti-terrorism bill and legislation against financing terrorists had not been passed yet.
“If these bills are not passed, the law-enforcement agencies and judiciary will continue to be blamed for not acting against militants,” he added.
Seerat-un-Nabi (pbuh)
Earlier, the lower house suspended the agenda of the day and unanimously adopted a resolution to discuss Seerat-un-Nabi (pbuh). Religious Affairs Minister Syed Khurshid Shah proposed the house exclusively discuss Seerat-un-Nabi (pbuh) the day after Eid Miladun Nabi every year.
Addressing the house, Shah said Islam leaves no room for violence, extremism and terrorism, but despite this fact Muslim countries are currently engulfed in chaos. “It is unfortunate that a handful of elements are trying to impose their own agenda using the name of Islam,” he said.
Agreeing with Shah, legislators called for terrorists to lay down their arms and stop killing fellow Muslims.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2013.
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yes, yes, you are right.......ban mobiles, ban cars, ban bikes, ban everything............
"ISLAMABAD:Interior Minister Rehman Malik has claimed that the suspension of cellular services on Friday was the reason Eid Miladun Nabi (pbuh) was observed peacefully across the country and Shifting blame for terrorism on illegal mobile phone SIMs, Malik went as far as saying “mobile phones are bombs." Rehman Malik if this so then why don't you close permanently all the mobile phones' services in Pakistan?Who is stopping you from doing so?Because when you believe that blocking the mobile phones' services is the way of controlling the terrorism and guarantee of peace in Pakistan.