Potential hazard: FO to brief Senate panel on threat posed by IS

Govt has so far publicly played down reports of the group’s presence in the country

ISLAMABAD: A bipartisan parliamentary panel will discuss the potential threat posed by Islamic State or Daish to Pakistan amid reports that the ruthless militant outfit is seeking a foothold in the country.

The issue would be discussed during the meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs headed by Senator Haji Adeel today (Monday).

The committee is expected to be briefed by Foreign Office and other government officials on the changing geo-political situation in the Arab world besides the role of Islamic State (IS).

A committee member said the panel would be given a detailed briefing on whether the IS was posing a real threat to Pakistan. The government has so far publicly played down reports of IS’s presence in the country.

Despite official denials, the IS is believed to have been making efforts to recruit people from Pakistan.

An intelligence report suggested that the militant organisation was trying to establish its network in Balochistan, which is already in turmoil due to insurgency.

Wall-chalking supporting the militant outfit has recently appeared in several major cities including Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar.

Police had also arrested some of the people linked to IS graffiti in various cities.

Also some of the religious people including controversial cleric of Lal Masjid of Islamabad Maulana Abdul Aziz publicly supported the agenda of IS.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2015.