Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Immigration system to implemented on Pak-Afghan border from November: Malik

QUETTA, Oct 19 (APP): Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said the government was going to implement immigration system on Pak-Afghan border in Chaman and Torkham from November. He announced this while addressing a crowded news conference at Chief Minister House here on Wednesday. “The Government of Pakistan has decided to monitor movement of people through Pak-Afghan border from both sides so measures are being taken to implement immigration and restore biometric system on the entrance of the border,” he added.

He said intelligence agencies had provided phone data which proved that some prisoners were involved in carryng out anti-peace acts in Quetta and other areas of Balochistan from jails. Home Secretary Balochistan has been asked to isolate such prisoners from other prisoners, he added.
He said members of some banned outfits of Punjab were also involved in anti-peace activities in Balochistan. He said during his two-day visit to Quetta, he met representatives of Hazara Community and religious scholars of Ahl-Sunnat community who reiterated their resolve to promote harmony and brotherhood for the cause of peace.
He said the government would convene a peace conference in Quetta during November which would be attended by religious scholars of different Islamic schools of thought from the country and abroad.
He said Interior Ministry would help in organizing the peace conference in Quetta.
To a question, he said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani wanted to bring Baloch nationalists into mainstream.
He said Governor, Chief Minister and Home Minister of Balochistan had been playing active role for maintaining peace. “We want angry Baloch youth to love Pakistan Flag as it is our identity”, he added.
He said some anti-social elements were involved in target killing of innocent citizens in Balochistan only for vested interest. However, he said target killing had reduced in the province with the effective measures taken by the government.
He said three districts including Quetta were sensitive in respect of law and order and added the situation was better now.
Replying to query, he said, “Yes, the government has received some messages from Taliban for peace talks,” and added however, no such dialogues would be initiated until extremist elements laid down their weapons.
He announced arms license for every member of Quetta Press Club so that they could keep licensed weapon for their safety and security.