Malik warns of action against spreading rumours through SMS

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Sunday said that the government would take stern action against the people, who were creating panic among the masses by spreading rumours through Short Messaging Service (SMS).
Talking to media persons after attending the First International Target and Outdoor Shooting Sports (TOSS) Show, he said that some people were making propaganda by spreading unethical comments and false information through SMS.
He criticised PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif for taking the controversial memo case to the Supreme Court when the country was facing foreign aggression.
Malik regretted that the PML-N was giving importance to a foreigner (Mansoor Ijaz) who hatched a conspiracy against Pakistan and its institutions.
"We should keep our national integrity and sovereignty supreme as our forces are in the state of war," he said, adding "We stand by our army shoulder-to-shoulder."
To a question, Malik said that he recently visited the United Arab Emirates to convey the "get well soon message" of public to President Asif Ali Zardari. He said that the President was getting well and would return soon, following the advice of doctors.
He further said that during his visit, the President directed him to resolve the problems of Pakistani community living in the UAE. To another question about the restoration of Nato supply, Malik said that the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) would decide about it, but "our stance is clear; Nato should recognise that Pakistan is a victim country."
Earlier, the minister visited the TOSS Show 2011, organised by Pakistan Sporting and Hunting Arm Development Company.
The minister took keen interest in locally manufactured sports and hunting arms displayed at the venue.
He said the government would encourage the arms manufactures under regulatory authorities and ensured them of government's full support.
Malik said that strict action would be taken against illegal manufactures of arms, which were being used for terrorist activities.
He appreciated the organisers of the exhibition and said that in his next meeting with the authorities concerned, he would discuss with them the possibility of purchasing locally manufactured arms for law enforcement agencies, which met international standard.