MANSOORA:
Interior Minister Rehman Malik requested the leadership of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) to provide solid evidence, if any, concerning the presence of Blackwater/Xe – a private security company – in Pakistan during his visit to Mansoora, the party’s headquarters, on Friday.
Dr Farid Ahmed Paracha, the JI spokesperson, said the party leadership pointed out during the meeting that the name of Blackwater/Xe was being discussed in the context of the prevalent terrorist attacks across the country.
He said that Malik categorically rejected the impression that Blackwater/Xe was working in the country, as he had earlier stated that some other organisations were actually responsible for the wave of unrest.
The interior minister urged the JI to share information, if they had any, assuring that the government will take stern action against such elements.
While talking to The Express Tribune, Paracha, however, said that Malik’s request lacked seriousness.he said it was not possible for the interior ministry to remain ignorant about the existence of Blackwater/ Xe when his party had solid information in this regard.
“The act of seeking information about Blackwater/Xe from JI is a ploy used by the interior minister to deflect the JI’s demand,” Paracha said.
Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik met JI chief Syed Munawar Hasan at Mansoora to discuss the prevalent terrorist activities, targeted killings in Karachi and the attacks on shrines besides the domestic political situation in the country. Qazi Husain Ahmed, the former Jamaat chief, was also present at the meeting.
Munawwar Hasan remarked that he had suggested to the interior minister to establish a PPP-led single party government in Sindh to avoid instability and also establish a single entity responsible for security in Karachi. Talking to the media after the meeting, he said that foreign organisations such as the Blackwater/Xe and Indian secret agencies were behind terrorist activities, adding that collective efforts were required to foil such activities.
Qazi Hussain Ahmed said that mere apprehension of elements involved in attacks at shrines was not enough, adding that forces behind such incidents must also be exposed.
Malik also attended a high level meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Shairf on the law and order at the chief minister’s secretariat in Lahore. Malik briefed the participants about the law and order situation, growing challenges and strategy to curb terrorism.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2010.
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