Rehman condoles Iftikhar, terms Taliban as infidels

Federal Interior Minister, Rehman Malik on Monday said that Taliban have proved that they are not Muslims because targeting innocent people is not the act of any faithful. He expressed these views while talking with newsmen after offering condolence with Mian Iftikhar Hussain. Information Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over assassination of his son by militants. Rehman Malik said targeting of innocent people including relatives of governments functionaries has proved that militants are infact infidels because no Muslim can hurt brother of his faith without any reason. He said Mian Iftikhars son sacrifice would not go waste and government will eliminate such elements from the country. Rehman Malik condemned in strongest term assassination of Mian Rashid Hussain and said Taliban have dropped to such a level that they have started targeting relatives of Ministers. Such incident of target killing reflects declining moral of militants who are now on the run, he added. He said Mian Iftikhar Hussain has become a symbol of bravery for countrymen who lost his lone son while fighting the war being waged for survival of the country. In response to a question about target killing in Karachi, Rehman Malik said government has adopted an effective strategy as a result of which killing has been stropped from the last 24 hours. He said government is also collecting record of all those who have entered and exited from Karachi in the last one month to check in entry of outsiders in the port city. When asked about recent movie of Faisal Shezad, an alleged militant arrested in USA, Rehman Malik said he is a US national and American government should try him in accordance with their law. He said Faisal Shezad visited around seven time to Pakistan from USA in the last couple of years and reports have been received that he also met with Hakimullah Mehsud, leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. Interior Minister also informed newsmen that government has made a complained to Afghan government about infiltration of militants from there country to Pakistan in the border area near Nooristan. He said Pakistan government has suggested to Afghan government to seal border in that area or enhance deployment to curb infiltration of militants. About religious seminaries, Rehman Malik said about 18000 madaris have been registered against total strength of 24000. He also informed that action is being taken against banned religious outfits including Laskhar-e-Jangvie and Sipah-e-Sahabah.

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