Rehman Malik announces public holiday in federal capital on Thursday

Minister of Interior Rehaman Malik has announced public holiday in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) on Thursday due to meeting of D-8 Summit.
He was talking to the journalists after a high-level meeting at his office to review law & order and security situation of the federal capital on the occasion of D-8 Summit and Moharram.
He said that reports were received some defunct Jihadi outfits including Ilyas and Qari Groups have planned sabotage activity on 9th and 10th of Muharram at large scale. He said that a 12 year old missing student from a seminary could be used for suicide attack.
He said that the decision about terminating mobile phone services on 9th and 10th Muharram would be taken after consultation of all stakeholders.
Responding a question the minister said that neither the government nor the family members of Ajmal Kasab made any contact for the handing over his deadbody.
He told the reporters that meeting decided that all the schools, colleges and educational institutions, whether public or private, would remain close on Thursday (November 22). Similarly all government offices located at Pakistan Secretariat would also remain close today.
He said that however Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Chief Commissioner and DC Office, ICT Police, CDA, IESCO, National Assembly Secretariat and Senate Secretariat would be opened as routine.
Malik said that it was also decided in the meeting that motorcycle and general public shall not be allowed except authorized persons in red zone. Like wise no heavy vehicle shall be allowed to enter in ICT from mid night.
“Any kind of construction activity and transfer of construction material have been banned for next 24 hours in Islamabad, starting from 12:00 clock at today midnight.
Interior Ministery also took some steps regarding Moharram under which all vehicles including motorbikes would not be allowed to accompany the processions.
Malik directed IG Islamabad to negotiate the Uzadars’ leaders and convince them to conlude their processions well before sunset. He also instructed police to ensure the ban of parking of vehicles and motorcycles in the routes of Moharram processions.
He said that army would be kept at standby position to tackle any untoward situation during Moharram-ul-Haram.
Rehamn Malik said that he welcomed the resolution tabled in National Assembly by MQM to de-weaponize the entire country. “I appeal to all political forces to adopt the Anti Terrorism Act after reviewing it at earliest so that the trial could be started against terrorists”, he added.