Spurned by Afghanistan, Pakistan to contact Interpol over Maulvi Faqir

Interior Minister calls on Punjab government to do more to initiate criminal cases against LeJ chief Malik Ishaq.

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Saturday said that Pakistan would soon request Interpol for repatriation of senior Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Maulvi Faqir from Afghanistan.

Malik’s statement come a day after Afghanistan refused requests to extradite Maulvi Faqir to Pakistan after the militant commander was arrested along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border earlier in the week.

The interior minister told media in Islamabad on Saturday that Pakistan will now seek help from Interpol to get custody of Faqir. The militant commander is believed to be behind a series of terror attacks in Pakistan.

"We want his deportation to Pakistan so that action can be initiated against him in accordance with the law," Malik said.

LEJ safe havens in Punjab

Malik admitted that militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), which has claimed responsibility for recent bomb attacks on the minority Hazara shia community in Quetta, had safe havens in Punjab.

Reiterating that law and order was a provincial subject, Malik urged provincial governments to take action against criminals of banned outfits. He appreciated Punjab government’s move to detain Malik Ishaq, but said more needs to be done including initiating criminal cases against the LeJ chief.

Commending intelligence agencies for providing accurate information about terrorists, Malik said that those involved in terror acts in Balochistan would be dealt with the full force of law.

Replying to a question about Taliban's dialogue offer, Malik said first they (Taliban) should demonstrate seriousness for talks by surrendering their arms.