ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Monday asserted that India’s intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has hired local criminals in Pakistan to carry out terror attacks here.
“After India faced its biggest defeat in Afghanistan, its intelligence agency is using some Pakistanis and paying them 2.5 million to sabotage peace here,” the interior minister said while addressing the Senate floor.
He said that all members of the upper house of parliament were aware of the situation in Balochistan, where around five to six militant outfits, including Daesh, Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) Pakistan, Balochistan Republican Army and some Al Qaeda offshoots, were operating.
However, the federal minister assured that the country’s security forces were vigilant and will continue to take action against terrorists who want to destabilise the country.
Shedding light on negotiating with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), Rashid said the talks were not being held anymore. “Talks are not possible with those elements who are against the integrity of Pakistan,” he underlined.
Rashid said Pakistan had provided some elements, which wanted peace, with a chance for talks. “However, those who raise strong demands that are against the integrity of Pakistan can never be engaged in a dialogue,” he said.
Moreover, he said, it was the TTP that violated the ceasefire between both sides, adding that the government “did not contact them after that”. He also informed the Senate that arrests had been made in the Dasu bus attack case, in which 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed.
Rashid also affirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), adding that, “Imran Khan’s government will fulfil its commitment on CPEC.”
Referring to reports of the Afghan Taliban uprooting a portion of the fence along the Pak-Afghan border, he said a portion of fencing was demolished and “it was not along the main line.”
Rashid urges PDM to delay long march
In today’s briefing, the interior minister also asked Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to delay its March 23rd rally, saying several foreign dignitaries would visit Islamabad at that time and “there will be strict security” with no room for rallies.
Rashid said that the Opposition can choose to continue with their long march but he would suggest rescheduling it. “Both Prime Minister Imran Khan and I love this country as much you (Opposition) do, but remember there is a terrorism threat on March 23,” he added.
The minister said that he is not “afraid of PDM’s long march but there are terrorism threats, adding that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was also told not to stage a procession in Rawalpindi because of security reasons but she went ahead with it despite the warnings.”
He said that on March 23, foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries will attend the Pakistan Day parade, therefore, “half of Islamabad will under be the control of [the government] and jammers will be installed there.”
Today’s briefing was scheduled in response to an adjournment motion seeking an explanation from the minister over terror incidents in the country. The motion was submitted by the opposition parties on Friday.
