Interior Minister says all IED bombs in Quetta and Karachi were detonated using mobile phones. PHOTO: PID / FILE
Replying to points raised by different members during the Senate session on Friday regarding the latest episode of suspending cell phone services across the country, Malik said that mobile phones have become a source of terror, being used for detonating bombs.
The interior minister said that when the mobile services were suspended for Ashura and Chehlum, there was not a single incident of improvised device explosion. He added that occasionally the step is being taken to maintain law and order in the country and save precious human lives.
Responding to another point raised by Idrees Safi‚ the Interior Minister said 90 per cent of Afghans living in I-11 Katchi abadi did not have valid visas. He said despite repeated warnings they had not vacated the place. Malik claimed that a number of criminal facilitators could be found within this illegal settlement.
The Leader of the House Jahangir Badar assured that they would facilitate negotiations between a jirga of I-11 Katchi abadi and the Capital Development Authority.
Government is taking measures to improve the tax to GDP ratio
The Senate was informed on Friday that the government is taking measures to improve the tax to GDP ratio.
During question hour‚ Minister of State for Finance Saleem Mandviwala told the House that the current tax to GDP ratio for the financial year 2011-12 has improved to 9.1 per cent from the lowest level of 8.6 per cent for 2010-11.
The House also adopted a motion moved by Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh that the Senate make recommendations to the National Assembly on the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill‚ 2012‚ under Article 73 of the Constitution.
The Finance Minister said the tax amnesty scheme is aimed at bring the wealthy into tax net by offering them incentives. The move will help enhance the revenue of the government which can in turn be spent for the welfare of the people.
Dr Shaikh said the law will also end harassment of taxpayers by officials of the Federal Board of Revenue. He called upon the Opposition to join hands with government to bring the rich people into tax net.
Pakistan polio free by 2014?
The Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani said steps were being taken to eradicate polio and expressed the hope that the country will be polio-free by the end of 2013.
He said polio workers are being provided security.
Senate members walkout over KESC
Meanwhile‚ Senator Raza Rabbani on a point of order criticised the management of Karachi Electric Supply Company for flouting the writ of the parliament.
Rabbani said the KESC Managing Director was repeatedly called by the Standing Committee to give details of the retrenched employees of the company but he did not obey the orders.
Raza Rabbani and the ANP members staged a token walkout over this attitude of the KESC.
COMMENTS (21)
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It means it is not possible to stop terrorism,but he forgot to include present government also part of that network along with cellular network.
Keeping in mind the deteriorated security situation across the country, I 100% agree with Rehman Malik!! Cellular companies are much concerned about generating more and more money; they have nothing to do with how much they are facilitating the terrorist networks.
I have some suggestions for Rehman Malik, if he really have some sincere intentions to drive the country our current situation, for next 2 years block all communication services for whole Tribal Area , Part of Baluchistan, Specific areas of KPK, either landline, mobile, internet etc. Now start comprehensive operation of disarmament, give security forces optimum powers to CLEAN the area, respect the people who voluntarily accept the move, eliminate all other without giving them second chance, destroy their vehicles, house and all infrastructure but with the speed of light. Some people may consider it as self destructive and crazy thinking too but there is no other way out now.
All that can only be achieved by having commitment, dedication with the cause to take the country out of this mess. A stubborn & narcissistic mindset is key to initiate this move. It’s about time!!
Keeping in mind the deteriorated security situation across the country, I 100% agree with Rehman Malik!! Cellular companies are much concern about generating more and more money; they have nothing to do with how much they are facilitating the terrorist networks.
I have some suggestions for Rehman Malik, if he really have some sincere intentions to drive the country our current situation, for next 2 years block all communication services for whole Tribal Area , Part of Baluchistan, Specific areas of KPK, either landline, mobile, internet etc. Now start comprehensive operation of disarmament, give security forces optimum powers to CLEAN the area, respect the people who voluntarily accept the move, eliminate all other without giving them second chance, destroy their vehicles, house and all infrastructure but with the speed of light. Some people may consider it as self destructive and crazy thinking too but there is no other way out now.
All that can only be achieved by having commitment, dedication with the cause to take the country out of this mess. A stubborn & narcissistic mindset is key to initiate this move. It’s about time!!
if mobile phone become dangerous than it should be banned.
" Cell phone networks have become terror networks”
Just when you think that Rehman Malik cannot amaze you any further, he comes up with a gem like this!
Lets see, does that not mean abject failure on his part and on part of the government he is a part of?
Mr R Malik's immediate resignation will be a first step in the right direction in fixing the problem.
Its govt and operator's responsibilty to make sure service is not issued to everyone without proper checks and balances.
Corruption at every level is now responsible for this - its finally coming back to literally kill people.
Does this have some connection with the thirty odd billion in dispute with the tax authorities ???
If cell phone networks have become terror networks than the Federal Government should shut down all the cell phone networks once and all and let's go back to Stone Age.
Mr. Rehman Malik instead of accusing the cell phone networks should open his own neck and see if his government was able to take appropriate/strict measures to enforce the proper system for selling SIM Cards to its original users?
It was due to criminal negligence of the Goverment that today the "cell phone network have become terror networks".
modern day Don Quixote.
It must be making him so happy to think that by banning cl fones, he has stopped terror networks. For approximately 3 out of 365 days. Lol
Who knows someday he might ban cars and motorbikes if terrorists use them for bombing. But he wont make serious efforts to ban terrorism.
It just like a feudal lord telling his people that a disaster is in the making in new school that has been built in their area. It will ruin their future.
Still trying to take Rehman Malik seriously..
It sounds like he is blaming mobile phones and mobile networks for terrorism in Pakistan.
Suspension of cellular services is no solution as those who are committing barbarous acts of killings and bomb blasts are allowed to roam freely since security forces are refraining to act against them. Why is the IM silent on security forces inaction but emphasizing on other reasons which are secondary ?
True story!
lol someone want to go in iStone age
KESC A COMPANY NOT GOVT. OWNED STATE ENTERPRISES.
Hello 1900s!
" Cell phone networks have become terror networks"
ITS ONLY IN PAKISTAN? NO OTHER COUNTRY OF THE WORLD......AMAZING