95 percent of political parties' flags removed in Karachi: Malik

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Sunday said that almost 95 percent of the flags of political parties have been removed from streets and other spots in different parts of Karachi and the remaining ones would also be removed. The Interior Minister was talking to media after various meetings at State Guest House here on Sunday.
He said he would send a team to review the situation with regard to removal of political parties' flags, if a flag is found in any area, action would be taken against the SHO concerned.
He also expressed gratitude to the parties for their co-operation in removal of the flags. Speaking about his meeting with the builders, Rehman Malik said action would be taken against land grabbing in light of the directives of the President and the prime minister.
He said the claims of the lands would be examined and decision about the land grabbing claims would be made accordingly.
Rehman Malik said if any of the member of Association of Builders And Developers of Pakistan (ABAD), is involved in land grabbing, action would be taken against him.
He said according to initial reports around 40,000 acres of land has been grabbed in Karachi. The lands are state-owned as well as claimed by some of the builders, he added.
Rehman Malik told a questioner that the federal government is providing full support to the Punjab government in the case related to kidnapping of Shahbaz Taseer, son of Salman Taseer, former governor of Punjab.
No one has yet claimed the responsibility about the incident of kidnapping of Shahbaz Taseer and all the factors in this regard would be reviewed, he added.
Earlier foreign-designed software had been used at airports in Pakistan but now the National Database and Registration Authority (NARDA), has developed its own software which is being used on trial-basis and would be inaugurated soon, Rehman Malik said.
About kidnapping of Pakistani children by Afghanistan-based militant faction from Bajaur Agency, he requested the Afghanistan government to take personal interest in the matter for the recovery and safe return of the children.
He further said that the abduction of children has been claimed on the Afghan soil and he would talk to his Afghan counterpart by telephone in this regard and if needed he would also go to Afghanistan for the recovery of the children.
He told another questioner that we need all the parties in the government for prosperity of the country and strengthening the democracy.
To another question, he said it is up to MQM, whenever it wants to return to the treasury benches and their resignations have yet not been accepted.
He also appreciated the role of law enforcement agencies for maintenance of law and order in Karachi and said most of his time would be spent on bringing peace in the metropolis.