ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik on Sunday categorically stated that the government was not holding talks with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as talks cannot take place until terrorists surrender themselves before the authorities.
Denying media reports about negotiations between the government and TTP, he said, "I talked to stake holders in Bajaur confirm that there are no talks with them."
Talking to mediapersons, the Minister said if Maulvi Faqir Muhammad wants to hold talks with the government, he should come down from hills, lay down arms and surrender himself, then there would be chances to hold negotiations.
"If TTP surrenders, definitely the government would consider talks, he added.
About the reports that some Taliban have been released, he said there is no truth in it and Maulvi Faqir is spreading disinformation in this regard.
Rehman Malik said, "We know the capacity of the Taliban, and appreciate Pakistan's Armed forces which fought bravely against the terrorists in Swat and Malakand and overpowered within record time."
Interior Minister, Rehman Malik said the Shamsi Airbase is now in full command of Pakistan's Armed Forces. He said in this regard he had talked to GHQ and it is confirmed that Shamsi Airbase has been got vacated from US.
The Minister said nation has witnessed that the decision taken in the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Defence, chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has been implemented.
Rehman Malik said whatever the subsequent decisions taken on the vacation of Shamsi Airbase have been implemented with the support of people of Pakistan and as per their wishes.
Replying to a question, he said, an agreement has been made between Afghanistan and Pakistan on transit trade, adding that there were some complaints that NATO supply was being conducted under transit trade, but when some trucks were checked there was nothing.
"If there is any complaint in this regard we would ensure that such things should not happen. I assure that the NATO supply has been suspended and it would remain closed," he said.
He recalled that Pakistan has already decided that any violation of its border would be retaliated immediately. "I have complete confidence that our armed forces have the ability to deal such matters in a professional way. He said the drones are not controlled from Pakistan.
Answering to another question, he said the government has already issued details of US nationals living in Pakistan under agreements, adding that there is not a single US national present at the Shamsi airbase.
He said only Shamsi airbase was being used by Americans and there is no other Pakistani airbase under their use.
Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik said he did not know anything about memogate.
He said when the Prime minister had already stated that the memo issue would be referred to National Security Committee of the Parliament then there was no need to take the matter in court, but Chief of PML-N Nawaz Sharif approached the court rather resolving the matter politically through the Parliament.
Answering to another question, Rehman Malik said seven identified accused involved in the assassination of Shaheed Leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto have been arrested and are facing trial. Some of the accused are proclaimed offenders while efforts are also being made to arrest some of them through Interpol.
He said the government has each and every detail of those who planned and made conspiracy in the assassination of Shaheed leader adding that the courts have been provided all details regarding the case.
The Minister said the accused involved in the case tried their best to get bail but to no avail because the case is very strong and having evidence material.
He said the government has done a lot of work to bring the culprits to book because Pakistan People's Party had lost its leader.
He said challan with strong evidence have already been submitted in the court and if PML-N wants to pursue the case they should approach the court.
The formality to constitute Joint Judicial Commission on Mumbai Attacks has been completed. The Commission will visit India next week and hopefully the issue would be resolved soon.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.