Nisar rules out presence of IS in Pakistan

Minister advises media not to create hype about the militant group

KARACHI: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar on Tuesday quashed speculation about the presence of the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Pakistan, which has taken over swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria.

“There is no presence of IS in the country,” Nisar said, while addressing the 19th Rangers Recruitment Parade in Karachi.

However, the minister said that some militant organisations involved in terrorist activities have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, which is ruthlessly advancing in the Mideast.

“I request media and others to not create hype about IS,” he cautioned.

His statement comes a few days after Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani denied claims of the presence of IS militants on ground in the province.

In response to a question regarding the tragic incident at Wagah border on November 2, which killed 61 people and injured several others, Nisar said, “A joint investigation team (JIT) was formed. A report is expected soon which will also be made public.”

“It will be premature to reveal details of the investigation and hold anyone responsible for the incident,” he said.



Commenting on the terror attack on the Dockyard in Karachi, the interior minister revealed that the raid on the naval facility was aided by insiders.

Nisar, while attending the parade, lauded the efforts made by Rangers and law enforcement agencies during the security operation in Karachi.

“For the past 14 months, more than 4,000 operations have taken place in Karachi and more than 7,000 have been rounded up,” the interior minister revealed.

He said that there were serious threats during Muharram, but Rangers and law enforcement agencies thwarted the plans by terrorists.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2014.