Former interior minister Rehman Malik said Friday that militant group Islamic State’s (IS) network is present in the country and that it is led by Yousuf Salfi.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the missing persons commission, Malik claimed that security personnel had arrested several IS militants during raids conducted in different parts of the country.
He said that being a former interior minister, he had his own means of gathering information from sources which had provided him with information regarding the presence of IS militants in the country.
The Pakistan People’s Party leader also said that the IS militant group had emerged after infighting between different groups under the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) umbrella group.
The statement from the former interior minister comes despite a denial of IS presence by incumbent Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
It is important to understand that these terrorist organizations share a common mission of imposing their rule and agenda through any means possible. It is in their best interests to pledge allegiance to each other, and at the same time, they would rather see our nations remain on the opposite sides of the fence. According to the recent poll by PEW research, a majority of Pakistanis reject terrorists’ ideology and stand against extremism in the country. You can click the link below and read the full article:
Most Pakistanis fear extremism, dislike Taliban: survey – Pakistan – DAWN.COM
Even though majority of the comments often tend to focus on our differences, the fact of the matter is that we share a common stance against terrorism. It is also in our best interests to remain unified against those who threaten the safety of our lands. The recent meetings between our officials in the U.S. reiterates the importance of communicating and coordinating to negate the common threat of terrorism. And we are confident of succeeding against our common enemies through mutual cooperation and assistance.
Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
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