All roads lead to SWA: Rehman

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Federal Minister for Interior Rehman A Malik has remarked that all the roads lead to South Waziristan, saying Zubair, involved in the attack on Sri Lankan team, was traced with his other accomplices in Makeen. In this connection, some arrests have also been made from Buner and Rawalpindi. He also talked about early establishment of Pakistan Police Headquarters to coordinate and look after the related matters across the country. Talking to newsmen after the launching ceremony of new initiatives, including FM radio and high-tech driving license, by Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) on Monday, he said the armed forces had successfully controlled the situation and targeted the commanders of extremists. Top commanders have been killed while Fazl Ullah is injured, he repeated the government claim. Replying to a question, he said the meetings of the provincial police chiefs were held on regular basis and efforts were also underway to enhance the capability of the police force to fight against criminals. Responding to another question, he said Pak Army is for Pakistan and there has been close coordination between military establishment and the civilian government. He said the Interior Ministry has started a campaign against spreading profane and provoking comments against countrys political leadership via email or short message service (SMS). Parents of female students and women parliamentarians have also received threatening SMS as well as emails. He said some elements have been traced and it has been revealed that such emails are being sent through foreign countries and the system used by them is also identified. To another question, he said militants have been defeated during the military operation. These militants are working to achieve nefarious designs, but their activities are being closely watched for thwarting their attempts, he added. Shahbaz Sharif and all other provincial governments are doing their best to foil the terrorist activities, he said. The minister also urged the media to play its role to curb terrorism and protect the national interests of the country. Earlier addressing the ceremony, Rehman Malik said the high-level conspiracies against Pakistan remained futile due to national unity as well as bravery and valour of armed forces and law enforcement agencies. I salute to the Pak Army, Frontier Constabulary, Police and other law enforcement agencies who fought with bravery against the enemies of Pakistan, he said. Malik said Pakistan is passing through a situation imposed on us, which goes back to 30 years when the international conspiracies were hatched against the country to weaken it. The minister said Pakistan Police Headquarters is to be established soon, which would handle the entire posting, transfers and other related matters through out the country. He vowed to transform the police force into a disciplined unit and to make Islamabad police as a model for others. The minister appreciated the services of Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) for being declared first ever ISO Certified police organisation not only in Pakistan but also in the South Asia through its efforts to provide the best services to the citizens. Regarding the situation in Swat, Rehman Malik said enemies of Pakistan have been flushed out from the region; however, few pockets are still left. Terrorism as a cancer has affected our economy and law and order situation. We are determined as a nation to root out the menace, he added. He also stressed the need to remember the sacrifices of those army men who lost their lives to safeguard the country. About the improvement in policing culture, Rehman Malik urged officials to enhance partnership with community for friendly police ecology and win the hearts of the people by using polite language. I promise you to take care of your interests but you would have to ensure model policing through partnership between community and police, he said adding that present leadership is aware of the problems of the police force and all out efforts would be made to resolve it. He said capability and strength of the policemen would be enhanced and Islamabad police would be provided with an additional strength of 20,000 policemen soon. The minister said that 5 per cent quota would be allocated for the policemen in the government housing societies as he had taken the minister for Housing and Works into confidence. Out of this, three per cent quota would be only for martyred policemen and those showing good performance. A separate hospital with latest facilities would be set up for policemen of the country, he added. The minister also promised to provide IT facilities to Islamabad police and introduction of a system to monitor the entire traffic movement. Rehman Malik said during the last six months, Islamabad police arrested 31 persons including suicide bombers, handlers, mastermind and averted six suicide attacks. These suicide attackers are in custody of police who wanted to target the specific installations, he said. Inspector General of Police Islamabad Syed Kaleem Imam briefed the Interior Minister about the projects launched by ITP. He said a medical centre, gym and fitness and mess clubs have been set up while a FM radio station has also started transmission. The high-tech diving license is being issued with eight security features, he disclosed. Later on, Minister for Interior Senator Rehman A Malik distributed shields among those who worked with ITP for ensuring the success of various projects.

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