TTP planning attack on Qadri’s rally in capital: Malik

Rehman Malik says authorities have intercepted a conversation between Taliban leaders planning an attack.

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday claimed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was planning to attack Minhajul-Quran International (MQI) Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s march on January 14 in Islamabad.  

"We are trying to track the planners and assessing the threats to decide what kind of measures should be taken to foil any terror attempt," Malik said.

This information transpired from a conversation between Taliban leaders intercepted by the authorities, he added. Malik said the threat was not taken seriously at first, but a TTP spokesman confirmed the lead.

2013 elections

Malik stated that conspiracies were being hatched against the country and uncertainty regarding whether elections would be held on time or not are rife. The Prime Minister has made it clear that elections will be held on time according to the Constitution, he affirmed.

All the political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and Awami National Party have categorically opposed any delay in the elections, Malik added.

Talks with the Taliban

Malik asserted that the government had asked extremists to abandon violence, but they have refused to hold talks with him.

"Those, who are enemy of Pakistan, are also enemy of me," he said.

He called upon the Taliban to form a team for negotiations with a team comprised of government officials, of which he would not be a part.

Malik further asked Taliban members to stand up and revolt against their criminal leadership, who are responsible for the killing of hundreds of innocent people. The government will give general amnesty and offer jobs to revolting members of the Taliban.