High level meeting: Rise in sectarian violence matter of concern, says Chaudhry Nisar

Interior Minister wants increased coordination among law enforcement agencies, provincial governments.

ISLAMABAD: A day after a senior cleric belonging to the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat (ASWJ) was shot dead in Lahore, prompting fears of a delicate truce between sectarian groups deteriorating, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that sectarian violence was a matter of concern for the government, Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday.

The interior minister chaired a high level meeting in Islamabad on Saturday even as police officials tried to negotiate with ASWJ supporters who were protesting in various parts of the country on Saturday.

Reviewing the overall law and order situation in the country, Nisar said rise in incidents of sectarian violence is a matter of concern for the government.

He gave directions for increased coordination among law enforcement agencies to mitigate such incidents and asked for greater coordination with provincial governments in matters related to law and order.

Nisar said that while all acts of violence should be dealt with an iron hand‚ all segments of religious opinion should be taken on board in a proactive and positive manner for effective action.

The Minister was briefed about the current law and order situation including in Balochistan on the occasion of local bodies elections‚ Karachi situation as well as incidents of protest in some parts of the country.

Improved security in Islamabad, Rawalpindi

The interior minister directed the Islamabad and Rawalpindi police to put in force a dusk to dawn monitoring and vigilance system in twin cities which will be complemented by patrolling from Rangers and Army units. He emphasised night duty for police officers on rotational basis.

Nisar said that a Rapid Response Force should be created for Islamabad and Rawalpindi having the capability of reaching any location within seven to ten minutes.