Malik asks militants to lay down arms, renews talks offer

Interior minister once again invites militants for talks, says they will have to lay down arms first.

RAWALPINDI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday once again invited militants for talks on the condition that they lay down their arms and renounce violence.

Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi, Malik said that the number of suicide attacks had decreased because of the support given by religious scholars and the action taken against those who were planning attacks.

Regarding the attack in DI Khan on Saturday, Malik said that he had ordered the interior secretary to investigate the incident.

He further said that police stations and check posts in sensitive areas should have proper protection and added that he has suggested the formation of a force that will give aerial and additional support to security forces when their convoys are on the move.

When asked about Mansoor Ijaz, the interior minister said that he was an American citizen and a visa will be issued to him whenever he applies.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2012.