TV host Amir Liaquat warned of possible terror attack by TTP

Interior ministry circular says TV host is being targeted over 'remarks against religious personalities'

The Interior Ministry has warned TV host and former provincial minister for religious affairs Amir Liaquat Hussain of a possible militant attack over his recent "remarks against religious personalities".

“It has been learnt that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) miscreants are planning to target Amir Liaquat Hussain, former minister for religious affairs Sindh and a renowned TV anchor/host mainly due to his statements against ‘moulvis’,” a notification issued last week by the ministry of interior claimed.



The notification cautioned the TV host to remain vigilant regarding his "personal security" and "movement patterns" to avoid any untoward incident.

The TTP has been involved in various terror activities throughout the country, including carrying out large-scale militant attacks on civil and military installations, extortion and kidnapping for ransom.

The Pakistan Army is currently engaged in a military operation Zarb-e-Azb launched in 2014 to root out local terrorist hideouts from the country. Zarb-e-Azb began on June 15, 2014 following a brazen terrorist attack on Karachi airport and the failure of peace talks between the government and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).





Officials claim that over 3,000 militants have been killed since the launch of the offensive with authorities vowing to intensify operations both in the border regions and across the country.

On February 24 this year, the Pakistan Army launched its final phase to go after the terrorists still holed up in the strategic Shawal valley of North Waziristan Agency, one of the seven semi-autonomous regions in the country's North West.

Zarb-e-Azb does seem to have had a positive impact on militant attacks, which have been down overall, with some shocking exceptions, such as the December massacre by Taliban gunmen of more than 130 children at a school in Peshawar.