Over 18 terrorists including Regi brother handed over to Tehran: Rehman

[Naveed Yaseen]

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD (updated on: October 22, 2009, 02:34 PST): Pakistan has handed over 18 terrorists of Iranian origin including brother of Abdul Malik Regi of Jandullah to Iran and told Tehran that Regi is not in Pakistan but in Afghanistan, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Wednesday.

"We have time and again told Iran that Abdul Malik Regi is not in Pakistan. He is in Afghanistan and we have provided them all the information about Regi and his exact location," Malik said while addressing a press conference after having a meeting with heads of the public and private sector educational institutions of Islamabad.

Malik assured Iran that Pakistan will not allow anyone to use its soil for terrorist activities against any country. "We will clear all the doubts being created regarding the involvement of Pakistan in attacks in Iran and we have taken up the matter with Tehran at different levels," he added.

Ridiculing the Indian threats of attack on Pakistan, Rehman warned India against using threatening language. "Indian leadership is in a state of paranoia due to their frustration after failing in dealing terrorism on their own soil. Pakistan did not fear such threats as it was facing 9/11 everyday and Pakistan is a nuclear power and capable of responding to any threat from any side," he added.

The minister asked India to stop intervening in Balochistan accusing it of being responsible for violence in the province. "I have solid proofs regarding the Indian involvement in Balochistan and if Indian leadership has the courage it should come and see the evidence," he said. Responding to a question, Rehman Malik said no 7th dossier was received from India. Pakistan did its job very well by arresting and holding trial of people involved in Mumbai attacks.

He said India failed to provide any information regarding the involvement of Hafiz Saeed in Mumbai attacks and if they have they should provide it. "We will not take dictation from any side to arrest our citizens," he added. Taliban have proved that they are mercenaries and are dancing on the tunes of their foreign masters who want to destabilise Pakistan, Rehman Malik said, adding that they targeted innocent daughters and students who were studying Sharia, which makes it clear that Taliban have nothing to do with Islam.

To a question, the minister said that mobile and fix explosive scanners are being imported from China to install in Islamabad to make it secure. The blockades are creating problems for general public but for some time they have to face it for the sake of security until electronic equipment is fixed, he added. He said the effective security arrangements in Islamabad have left no option for terrorists and they targeted IIUI some 24 kilometers away from Islamabad.

Islamabad was divided into different zones where security arrangements are effective, he added. The government has constituted a core committee with five representatives from educational institutions and the ministry and law enforcement agencies with three sub-committees, he said, adding that the core committee will meet after four days to decide the opening of the institutions.

On the special instructions of Prime Minister Gilani the vice chancellors of all private and public sector universities and principals of colleges were invited to evolve a security plan for educational institutions, Malik said. "We have closed the educational institutions due to security of teachers and students and not under any pressure as this will not prolong," Malik said, adding that private sector institutions have enhanced security but the problems is still with public sector institutions.

He said that 300 well-trained security guards were provided to educational institutions in capital while students having volunteers training will also be involved in security of the institutions. "Community policing is also being introduced, he added. To a question regarding closure of border checkposts at Pak-Afghan border, Malik said that about 40 to 50 people are daily crossing the border. "We had set up biometrics system on the border which was destroyed by Afghan militia and now the Afghan government is looking to set it up again," he added.