ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister, Rehman Malik on Wednesday said the clashes in Gilgit-Baltistan have no clues of sectarianism, rather some hidden forces are involved and were trying to disrupt peace and development in the areas.
These are the elements, who desire disturbance, chaos and they do not want progress in G.B, he said while talking to mediapersons after having a meeting with Ulema from different school of thoughts.
The Minister said basic objective of the meeting was to discuss problems in G.B and prepare a strategy to avoid such a situation in future.
Enumerating the measures adopted after the unfortunate incident in Kohistan last month, Rehman Malik said patrolling of Police and Frontier Constabulary (FC) has been enhanced while G.B Police have been further empowered.
He said when he visited the G.B last month, the authority had presented some demands which, he added, have been fulfilled.
Malik said the number of PIA flights to Gilgit has been increased while payment to compensate victims of the Kohistan incident was already given to the G.B authorities.
He said peace and stability in G.B is our top priority and in this regard, federal government would utilize all its resources to ensure peace, adding that the incidents in G.B are unfortunate and every one condemn it.
He said these clashes have nothing to do with sectarianism rather hidden forces are involved and these would be identified soon.
Expressing thanks to the Ulema, he said their role in ensuring peace in the country is commendable and added Ministry of Interior would arrange a conference, to be attended by Ulema from all schools of thoughts.
The Minister said police in G.B was being equipped with modern gadgets while their number was also being enhanced. He thanked Pakistan Army for their cooperation and role in controlling the situation in G.B.
He said as par direction of President and Prime Minister, those who lose their lives in G.B clashes would be compensated for which funds have been approved.
Replying to a question, he said, evidences are being gathered so as to trace those involved in G.B clashes.
"It is early to say that who are involved in these clashes but I assure strict action would be taken against those responsible for disturbance," he said.
He appealed to people of G.B to play their role in normalizing the situation in the area.
Regarding US bounty on Hafiz Saeed, Rehman Malik said in this regard government of Pakistan was taken on-board.
He said before announcing the bounty, the US authorities should have informed the government of Pakistan or at least Interpol, but "I categorically state that the US did not take Pakistan's authorities on board." He said Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been asked to confirm the reports.
Rehman Malik also thanked Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Former Senator, Abbas Kumeli and MQM Chief Altaf Hussain for their role in normalizing situation in GB.
Ulema including Mufti Munibur Rehman, Mufti Nazir Farooqui, Qazi Niaz Hassan Naqvi and a number of others condemned incidents in GB and said all the sects are living in Pakistan with peace and there is not any atmosphere of sectarianism.
They said they also participate in each other's functions and help in time of needs and added they would continue this practice for the best interest of the country.
The Ulema also announced to hold Peace March in Gilgit- Baltistan.