Mobile, motorcycle ban based on critical intelligence: Rehman Malik

Data shows 460 blasts carried out by motorcyclists, 90% blasts carried out through mobile, says interior minister.


Ferya Ilyas November 23, 2012

ISLAMABAD: The decision to ban cellular services and motorcycle riding is based on critical intelligence, said Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Thursday.

He was speaking to media in Islamabad with regard to the security measures taken by the government for Ashura.

Malik said that data showed that around 460 bomb blasts were carried out by motorcyclists, 90% of total blasts were carried out through mobile phones.

He further said that bomb blasts in the last 15 days took place on the same pattern.

Calling the terrorists a part of an organised gang, Malik said they have been planting explosives in cement blocks and connecting them to cellular devices.

Challenge to Mehsud 

The interior minister challenged Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Chief Hakimullah Mehsud to prove to him whether Islam allows killing fellow Muslims.

Malik told the media that he and his officers have recently received death threats through text messages. He added that security officials have traced the sender as well.

Authorities request for ban

Malik said that his ministry has received requests from authorities in Punjab, Sindh, tribal areas, Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to ban cellular services and riding motorcycle in certain areas on Muharram 9 and 10. He said the decision will be taken after discussion with stakeholders.

He further clarified that all security-related decisions are approved by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

He added that people who had poked fun at him when he first imposed these bans have now realised that I was right and have applauded me for these steps.

COMMENTS (27)

Clear Black Bag | 11 years ago | Reply "cellular-services-motorcycle-banning-decision-based-on-critical-intelligence-rehman-malik" Rehman Malik blocking the mobiles' phone services in Pakistan is either based on critical intelligence services or the proof of the most worst ever failure and defeat of the government regarding providing the security to the nation and when you shall admit/acknowledge that you are running a failed and economically punctured government and how long you shall deceive the nation more and more by camouflaging your demerits and weaknesses by taking such these types of temporary steps to over come terrorism and claiming falsely and giving this hypocritical statement that we have achieved the targets and also broken the backbone of the Taliban?????
Faraz | 11 years ago | Reply

@MZJ: and who are you to think of someone as a lesser Muslim? He may be an inept politician/administrator but judging if he happens to be a good Muslim or not is none of your or anybody's business. How good a Muslim are you?

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