Govt of Pakistan Knows Masterminds of Suicide Attacks: Cheema
'Pakistan Times' Staff Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Interior Ministry Spokesman Brig (Retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema said here Tuesday the government knows the perpetrators and masterminds of suicide attacks and they would brought to justice sooner than later.

Addressing the weekly media briefing, he said the government is committed to rooting out extremism and terrorism from the society. “We would do so with the help of our peace loving people.”

The investigation into F-8 Markez and Aabpara Market suicide blasts are moving to right direction and the investigation teams found some positive clues in F-8 Markez blast.

Cheema lamented that those who are spilling the blood of innocent people are doing so in the name of religion.

“Extremism which poses the most serious threat to our internal security if not effectively checked will destroy the fabric of our society.”

Referring to an agreement singed between Pakistan and China on Monday for security of Chinese, Cheema said China is Pakistan’s all weather friend and the security of its citizens is getting the highest attention at the Ministry of Interior.

Around four to six thousands Chinese are currently engaged here in different development sectors, he said adding under the agreement a joint task force has been constituted at Federal and Provincial levels under Secretary Interior for security of Chinese.

He said that the government has deployed about 7,000 security personnel for the security of Chinese.

Talking about Pak-Afghan Peace Jirga, the Spokesman said that it would be held in Kabul on August 9. Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao along with his delegation has left for Kabul on Tuesday to see the arrangements for the meeting.

Members of Pakistani jirga would leave for Kabul on Wednesday, he said.

Referring to Lal Masjid, Cheema said currently 58 male seminary students are on judicial remand while the rest 604 have been released.

Out of 73 unidentified bodies buried at H-11, he said 26 have been identified and handed over to their heirs, he said.

Of Missing Persons

The Interior Ministry Spokesman said the government wants to resolve the issue of missing people amicably outside the court to mitigate the sufferings of the families.

He said it is a humanitarian issue and the government attaches high priority to trace them out.

He said the Attorney General on Monday assured the Supreme Court on behalf of President and Prime Minister that no effort would be spared to locate the missing people.

Cheema said a Legal Aid Committee has been constituted which would work in association with all stakeholders including the families of the missing people and the Human Rights Organizations.

The Committee would consist of Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, Member National Assembly Farooq Amjad Meer and representatives of concerned departments.

The first meeting of Legal Aid Committee with Human Rights of Pakistan and their lawyers took place on Monday and its outcome would be submitted to the Court on next date of hearing, he said.

Cheema said there is a list of 257 missing people out of whom 121 have been traced while efforts are in hand to trace the remaining 136.●