ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik on Monday said Punjab government was not taking any action against Lashkar-e-Jhangvi even it was provided a list of terrorists.
"If Punjab government had launches a crackdown on banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), the scourge of terrorism could be eliminated, he was talking to mediapersons after holding a meeting with Australian Prime Minister's Special Envoy, Air Chief Marshal (retd) Angus Houston here.
Rehman Malik said Badami Bagh tragedy is the worst example of bad governance and added that banned militant outfits do not want holding of elections in the country.
He said federal authorities would act if the Punjab government does not crack down on the banned LeJ, responsible for terrorism acts in different parts of the country.
"I had written to them to take action. If they do not move, then I would respond. The LeJ has its headquarters in Punjab and the provincial government should have acted against it," Malik said.
Malik asked as to why the Punjab government does not close down the offices of LeJ in the province. The passage of the 18th amendment has passed on the responsibility to tackle terrorism to the provinces, he said.
Replying to a question, he said when Taliban become weak they talk about dialogue, however, he added enemies were working to de-stabilize the country but their nefarious designs would be foiled by forging unity.
"We don't want to see suicide vests in the hands of our future generations," Malik said.
He claimed that the backbone of proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been cracked and added LeJ was behind terrorist acts being perpetrated in Pakistan.
Answering another question, he said Pakistan has always supported Afghanistan and it should have realized that it is Pakistan which has been looking after its hundreds of thousands of refugees.
The Minister said that the Afghan government should cooperate with Pakistan and should not let anyone to use Afghan soil against Pakistan.
With regard to meeting with Angus Houston, he said matters relating to immigration came under discussion.
Rehman Malik said Australia and Pakistan enjoyed good relations and had remarkable cooperation in various areas.
Air Chief Marshal (retd) Angus Houston recalled the close relationship and the importance attached to relations with Australia.
He also briefed the media about the efforts being made by the Australian government to check human trafficking and reiterated that Australia would work closely with Pakistan to reduce human trafficking.
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