Invisible force involved in disrupting peace in Karachi, Quetta: Malik

Minister for Interior Rehman Malik said on Monday that an invisible force was engaged in disrupting peace in Karachi and Quetta and was giving it sectarian colour. He vowed that he would not let the ‘invisible force’ succeed in its sinister plans against the country.
Talking to journalists after a meeting with Ulema from different schools of thought, Rehman Malik said that there was no sectarian clash in the two cities but rather some enemies of the country who were trying to give it sectarian colour. “The law enforcement agencies are gathering information and soon the names of those who have indulged in these activities, will be revealed,” he added. He said that the objective of meeting the Ulema was to formulate a strategy to control the law and order situation during Muharram ul Haram.
The meeting was attended by Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, Syed Niaz Hussain Naqvi, Muhammad Yasin Zafar, Abdul Malik, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman and Hafiz Syed Qutab. Malik said that all the Ulema will play a positive role for the promotion of religious harmony during Muharram and will avoid hurting sentiments of people belonging to different schools of thought.
“The Ulema will spread the message of peace and unity during the holy month and will condemn bloodshed,” he added. He said that all the Ulema considered terrorists as the enemies of Islam, humanity and of Pakistan. He appealed to the print and electronic media not to publish or telecast provocative reports and statements.
It was decided that a representative from each sect would meet media personnel, asking them not to telecast live programmes, rather release them after proper editing. Rehman Malik said that he would soon establish a mechanism to ensure continuous contact with the Ulema. It was decided that a strong system would be established with the help of the Ulema and law enforcement agencies in all major cities and towns to counter terrorism. The meeting condemned the killing of innocent students of a Madrassa in Karachi and decided that the government would provide security to the Madrassa’s and mosques all over the country. “Raids on Madrassa’s would be avoided unless very necessary, in which case, they will be conducted in consultation with the Madrassa administrator,” he added.
The meeting expressed concern over the situation in Karachi and agreed that the government should take action against all the perpetrators irrespective of their political affiliation. The meeting asked the Parliament to pass the anti-terrorism act as early as possible.