Haqqani network not created by Pakistan: Rehman Malik

[Neo]

Haqqani network not created by Pakistan: Rehman Malik

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior A Rehman Malik on Sunday said that CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) of the United States not Pakistan created the Haqqani network and trained its members.

Talking to media-persons at a ceremony held to laud the Islamabad police over the recovery of a huge cache of weapons, the Interior Minister said that the Haqqani network was present in Afghanistan and those claimimg otherwise should give the evidence of its presence in Pakistan.

"We will fight the terrorists as our forces are capable of handling them and countering any challenge," the minister said and added that it was evident from combating militants in Swat and other troubled areas that the law enforcement agencies were making sincere efforts to root out the menace of terrorism.

He said Pakistan never blamed CIA or Afghanistan directly over various attacks in Mohmand Agency or other areas and enven the Afhan Interior Minister was contacted for resolving the issue.

He said that the nation was confident of the capabilities of Pakistan Army, government leadership and its strength as Pakistanis.

"The nefarious designs of external elements will be foiled,"he added.

Rehman Malik stressed for a strong immigration system at Pak-Afghan border and urged the international community not to forget the sacrifices of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. "Pakistan has so far suffered a loss of $ 68 billion in fighting terrorism,"he added.

He said that Pakistan was promised for capacity building but only a meager support was extended in that regard. He appreciated President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani for providing Rs. 5 billion to enhance the efficiency of law enforcement agencies in Sindh.

To a question about the acquittal of Raymond Davis, the minister said that Ministry of Interior had no role in it and the jail, where he was detained,was in Punjab. He added that certain legal aspects were used.

To a question about the visit of a Chinese delegation, he said that several areas including cooperation in the fight against terrorism, capacity building, drug smuggling and other issues would be discussed with the Chinese Deputy Prime Minister and other officials at high level.

He said that the on-going operation in Karachi was successful, which was because of coordination among Rangers, Police and Frontier Constabularly.

He said the government was determined to eliminate terrorism and the future of Pakistan was safe due to the unity of whole nation against this menace.

"Any aggression from outside or mischievous activity from inside will not be tolerated. Sovereignty of Pakistan will never be compromised and every one will

stand with Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies to counter any challenge,"

he added.

To a query, he said that it was also under consideration to declare Motorway a federal territory so that checking or search can be made after stopping any suspected vehicle.

The minister thanked to the youth of Islamabad as well as those transporters who are cooperating with Islamabad Police and several arrests have been made through them.

The minister said some terrorists wanted to disrupt peace of the city by attacking important buildings and information regarding themwould be shared with media after their arrest.

He told media men that Islamabad Police had foiled a bid to smuggle a huge cache of arms including six mini machine guns, 14 Kalashnikovs, four 12 bore pump action, one 12 bore Double Barrel, one Sniper rifle and over 30,000 rounds from a vehicle near Motorway Interchange.

The ACLC team headed by its Altaf Azai Khattak, comprsisng Sub-Inspector Muhammad Nazir. Head constables Irfan Khan, Khalid Khan and Constable Rafaqat Mehmud was conducting checking near Motorway Interchange in the jurisdiction of Tarnol police station.

They stopped a suspected Corolla car (RIU-4577), but its inmate tried to escape from the scene. He was chased and nabbed.

On the search of the car, the police recovered the above-referred weapons.

Rehman Malik termed the recovery of weapons as great success of Islamabad Policeand appreciated the ploce bosses for taking effective steps to ensure protection of the life and property of citizens. He also awarded commendation certificates to the members of police team who foiled the attempt of weapons smuggling.

Chief Commissioner Islamabad Tariq Mehmood Pirzada, IGP Islamabad Bani AMin Khan, SSP Islamabad Muhammad Yousuf Malik, SP Sajid Kiyani, SP Investigation Ch. Liaqat Ali, SP Muhammad Ishaq Warraich and other police officials were also present on the occasion.

The minister said that Islamabad Police was endeavoring its best to safeguard the city and this force is role model for other law enforcement agencies.

Ealier, the IGP Islamabad briefed the minister about the performance of Islamabad Police and efforts in curbing criminal activities.

Haqqani network not created by Pakistan: Rehman Malik

[Jihad]

Interesting to see that our politicians are biting back.

I remember the times when, not so long ago, the U.S. hurled so many accusations at us and most of our leadership kept quiet or were not able to respond in good fashion.

We were pushed in the dark and portrayed as a rogue state by our so-called ally so many times, this is extremely dangerous considering the mainstream U.S. media is powerful, they have alot of influence around the world.

We have to be agressive when it comes to defending our "name", or atleast what's left of it.

I despise Rehman Malik and think that he is incompetent.
I feel that he is more talk and no action type of person.

The real and big statements aimed at the U.S. are to come from Gen. Kayani himself I think...

I mean, the U.S. supports certain militant groups aswell, or maintains ties with them, and they're even willing to negotiate with the Taliban.

How hypocrit can you be?

I hope our leadership shows decisiveness and unity in these shaky times/relations with the Americans.

Pakistan Zindabad

[Neo]

Haqqani group was once CIA’s “blue-eyed boy”, says Khar

NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said the Haqqani group that the US holds responsible for last week’s attack against the American embassy in Kabul was CIA’s “blue-eyed boy” for many years.

Responding to questions during an interview with Al Jazeera television, Khar, who is in New York leading Pakistan’s delegation to the UN General Assembly, rejected US accusations against Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), saying it has no links to the Haqqani network.

“If we talk about links, I am sure the CIA also has links with many terrorist organisations around the world, by which we mean intelligence links,” Khar said.

“And this particular network, which [the United States] continues to talk about, is a network which was the blue-eyed boy of the CIA itself for many years.”

When asked about Admiral Mike Mullen’s statement that the Haqqani group “acts as a veritable arm” of ISI, the foreign minister said: “It is something that goes very, very unappreciated on our side. This is unsubstantiated. No evidence has been shared with us.”

Partners and allies, she said, do not talk to each other through public statements.

Pakistan had taken up the matter with the United States, but the spate of hostile statements coming from senior US officials meant that Washington had taken policy decision. If that was the case then “We have the right to make our own decision.”

Khar went to say that scapegoating and blame games would not help and that Pakistan wanted to be a partner of the US.

“I just hope that we’ll be given a chance to co-operate with each other and the doors will remain open — because statements like this are pretty much close to shutting those doors,” she added.

Replying to a question, Ms Khar said drone attacks not only violated Pakistan’s sovereignty, they were also counterproductive, and greatly angered the people of Pakistan.

“I think we must not be tested more than we have the ability to bear,” she added.

Haqqani group was once CIA’s