ISLAMABAD: The government on Monday decided to set up checkposts on all the roads leading to Dera Ismail (DI) Khan from Punjab and Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
The decision was taken in a meeting of Interior Adviser Rehman Malik and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi, who hails from DI Khan.
It was also decided that the government would launch a ‘de-weaponisation’ drive in DI Khan and all possible resources would be utilised to bring peace in the area. Malik also directed the NWFP police chief to undertake house-to-house search operations in DI Khan to curb sectarian violence there. “The provincial government has been asked to divide DI Khan into zones and undertake a house-to-house search operation to unarm the people,” Malik said. He said more checkposts would be set up at all entry and exit points of the city in collaboration with the Punjab police to monitor the activities of the commuters.
Solecki: To a question regarding kidnapped United Nations official John Solecki, he said the government was taking all possible measures for his safe recovery, “however, we are concerned about his health as he was suffering from blood pressure and other diseases and needs medical assistance”. Malik said Solecki had greatly contributed towards development in Balochistan and it was against the traditions of the Baloch to maltreat their guest. He expressed hope that “the Balochi people would safely deliver him back to his family”.
Malik said Solecki was alive and denied reports about his murder. Talking to a private TV channel, Malik said the call made by an unidentified person to Quetta Press Club, threatening to murder John Solecki within two hours, was a hoax and the telephone number of the caller had been traced. The government was making efforts for the safe return of John Solecki, he said adding that the call was aimed at disrupting talks between the government and the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, Liu Houqai, vice minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party also met Malik, who said both countries shared similar views on every international and regional issue. He said China was Pakistan’s true, dependable and time-tested friend, and hoped that this friendship would further strengthen in the coming years. staff report/agencies
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment