Malik, Munawar agree to make join efforts for national security

LAHORE: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Syed Munawar Hasan have agreed to make joint efforts for national security and integrity.

The consensus was reached during a meeting between Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the JI leadership here at Mansoorah on Friday. JI former Ameer Qazi Hussain and Deputy Secretary General Dr Farid Ahmed Piracha were also present.

Rehman Malik, talking to the media after the meeting, said that he had conveyed best wishes of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.

He ruled out the presence of US security company Blackwater and said the government would take prompt action on information about its activities.

Malik said the PPP and the JI had a common stance on terrorism eradication besides maintenance of peace and stability of the democratic system.

Malik added that the JI leaders had agreed to extend every possible cooperation and guidance to the government to eliminate terrorist activities at shrines and religious places and for restoration of sectarian harmony in the country.

The Interior Minister said that he had also agreed to a JI proposal to form a national forum of all religious parties which could help the government maintain peace.

Rehman Malik said he also had met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to discuss various aspects to enhance intelligence sharing to effectively counter terrorism activities. He said the government would welcome every proposal and guidance to counter terrorism and maintenance of peace in the country.

He said the government would not spare terrorists and miscreants in Karachi and other areas of the country, adding that dozens of culprits had been arrested by law enforcing agencies recently.

The government, he said, will make no compromise on national security and it would be protected at every cost.


The minister said he had also clarified some misconceptions to the JI leadership about the government in the meeting.

He said the PPP government was in contact with all political and religious parties across the country for the sake of national security and solidarity.

Malik reiterated the government's resolve to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan, adding that the nation would see a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan very soon.

JI Ameer Syed Munawar Hasan, welcoming the Interior Minister, said the JI would provide every possible support for peace in the country.

He said the JI was ready to join hands with the government for eliminating terrorism.

Qazi Hussain said a national level, apolitical and non-election forum of religious parties should be formed to promote religious and sectarian harmony in the country. He also urged the government to unveil miscreants sparking and planning sectarianism.