Counter-terrorism: ‘Lashkar-e-Jhangvi involved in Balochistan unrest’
Interior minister assures action against those involved in the unrest.
ISLAMABAD:
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday blamed banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) for the unrest in Balochistan, while asserting that the police and the Frontier Constabulary were acting against terrorist elements.
Malik was talking to Nasir Ali Shah, member of National Assembly from Balochistan, who refused to end his protest sit-in outside the parliament house over the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.
The interior minister met Shah to persuade him to end his protest and guaranteed that law enforcement agencies will act against anyone involved in the unrest. But Shah remained adamant in his demand for ‘action not words’.
Monitoring security
Later, Malik inaugurated the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport. The system has been designed and developed by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and will replace the US-provided border monitoring system currently installed at all ports and border crossings.
The minister said that the system will be helpful in keeping a record of travelers, as well as tracking down criminals, and also in identifying links between members of suspected groups and organisations.
“The new system will trace, identify and keep record of Pakistani citizens going abroad on fake documents or staying there illegally,” he said.
IBMS project director Chaudhry Manzoor Hussain said the system was aimed at documenting the entire process of foreigners visiting Pakistan. He said this would include everything from visa issuance and entry to movement within the country till departure.
Talking to the media, the interior minister said that he has directed his ministry to remove the Watch List and revise the Exit Control List (ECL).
He added that he would also recommend a Pride of Performance Award for those who developed the IBMS.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2011.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday blamed banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) for the unrest in Balochistan, while asserting that the police and the Frontier Constabulary were acting against terrorist elements.
Malik was talking to Nasir Ali Shah, member of National Assembly from Balochistan, who refused to end his protest sit-in outside the parliament house over the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.
The interior minister met Shah to persuade him to end his protest and guaranteed that law enforcement agencies will act against anyone involved in the unrest. But Shah remained adamant in his demand for ‘action not words’.
Monitoring security
Later, Malik inaugurated the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport. The system has been designed and developed by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and will replace the US-provided border monitoring system currently installed at all ports and border crossings.
The minister said that the system will be helpful in keeping a record of travelers, as well as tracking down criminals, and also in identifying links between members of suspected groups and organisations.
“The new system will trace, identify and keep record of Pakistani citizens going abroad on fake documents or staying there illegally,” he said.
IBMS project director Chaudhry Manzoor Hussain said the system was aimed at documenting the entire process of foreigners visiting Pakistan. He said this would include everything from visa issuance and entry to movement within the country till departure.
Talking to the media, the interior minister said that he has directed his ministry to remove the Watch List and revise the Exit Control List (ECL).
He added that he would also recommend a Pride of Performance Award for those who developed the IBMS.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2011.