Talks only with those Taliban who shun violence: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday said that the government would hold talks with those who gave up violence and terrorism and accepted the sovereignty of the country.

Talking to media persons here at a function of the Islamabad police, the minister said that the law enforcement agencies, including the Army, Frontier Constabulary and police would continue fighting the elements who were involved in terror activities.

He said that the government did not want to delay elections and would hold the same on time as per the Constitution.

Replying to a question regarding the proposed march on Islamabad on January 14, the minister asked its organisers to hold it at F-9 Park.

He appreciated the Islamabad police for its forensic services in the investigation of the Mohtarma Benzair Bhutto assassination case and said that the information about people involved in the murder would be made public soon. Currently the day to day trial of the case is underway, he added.

He said the commitment and devotion by the personnel of Islamabad police despite several constraints made them successful against the criminal elements in 2012 and a decline in crime rate was witnessed, besides recovery of huge cache of weapons, drugs and looted items. Malik said that Islamabad police successfully secured the capital through several rings of security check points, effective intelligence network, patrolling and halting points.

He said that he tried to enhance capacity building of Islamabad police during his tenure and assigned the responsibility of counter-terrorism cell to IGP Islamabad Bani Amin Khan, who accomplished the task in an effective manner. He appreciated the efforts of the police for countering terrorism activities and making the city more secure.

“I interviewed Bani Amin Khan before giving him this major responsibility and came to know about his good knowledge of information technology. Keeping in view his track record, Islamabad police improved his electronic forensic section and it can be compared now with any developed country,” the minister maintained. The minister appreciated the role of Islamabad police over forensic assistance provided to `Joint Investigation Team’ probing the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He said that 17 suicide jackets were recovered by Islamabad police which is their great success against terrorist as they might have done a lot of damage.

He also announced to forward recommendation to confer `Sitar-e- Shujaat’ to the IGP Bani Amin Khan and said that three more police officials would be given commendation certificates and medal on the basis of their courageous and dedicated services to Islamabad police.

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