No formal arrest made for linkages to New York bombing bid : Rehman Malik

Minister for Interior Rehman Malik Friday said Pakistan had made no formal arrest for linkages to New York Bomb suspect Faisal Shehzad. However, investigation was underway.  “The US authorities had sent us some questions regarding the issue (of Faisal Shehzad) and we are investigating the matter. We are extending full support to the US authorities and would also cooperate with the international community when and if needed so that the terrorists could be brought to justice,” said the Minister while talking to journalists here at the Parliament House. 

He said as soon as the investigation process is completed, the information would be shared with the US authorities.
 
When asked whether the government had sought any cooperation from the US for police training and whether the training was being imparted at Sihala Police Station, the minister said the country’s police needed proper training to fight the menace of terrorism.  However, the government would establish a proper training institute in this regard, he added.

Asked whether the operation in Kala Dhaka against the militants was over, Rehman Malik said Minister for Science & Technology Azam Khan Swati had made a written request to him for launching of an operation in Kala Dhaka as according to his information, some terrorists had taken refuge in the area.

“Since the matter was a provincial matter, the request was sent to Khyber Pakhtunkhawa administration subsequent to which the Frontier Constabulary and other forces were asked to search the area. There was no government control in the area. We had also some unconfirmed information regarding the presence of TTP leader Maulvi Fazalullah and his associates,” he added.

When informed that MNA Faiz Muhammad Khan, brother of Azam Swati, was opposing the operation in the area, the minister said he would consult the MNA on the matter as he belonged to a party which was a coalition partner in the federal government.

“There is no operation in Kala Dhaka and neither is any update as this is a provincial matter. However, let me make it clear that the government would not tolerate any individual or group to challenge the writ of the government. The government has come hard on the militants and today the law and order situation is under control as we are committed to eliminate the menace of terror from our soil,” he added