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India’s involvement in terrorism in Pakistan

Govt asked to raise issue at national, global forums

* Parliamentary body will call FM to brief on strategy to counter external elements in internal security issues

By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on National Security on Tuesday directed the government to highlight Indian involvement in terrorist activities in Pakistan at all national and international forums, including the UN, sources told Daily Times.

The sources privy to the meeting said the committee issued these directions after Interior Minister Rehman Malik presented evidence of Indian involvement, especially in the NWFP and Balochistan, while briefing the committee on the prevailing security situation. The committee, chaired by Senator Raza Rabbani, met at Parliament House.

Sources said the committee pressed the government to take up the issue with UN and NATO. It also expressed concern over the reported activities of Blackwater (Xe) in Pakistan.

“The committee also expressed its concern over NATO forces vacating border checkposts after Pakistan started a military offensive against the militants in South Waziristan,” the sources said.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Rabbani said the interior minister gave a detailed briefing on the country’s security situation. “The committee can call the minister again for questions if the members desire so,” he added.

Foreign minister: He said the committee would also call Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to brief on the government’s strategy to counter internal security issues with emphasis on external involvement.

Rabbani said the committee also directed the National Counterterrorism Authority to evaluate the incidents of terrorism in the country and prepare recommendations to counter them.

Reviewing the situation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Swat, he said the committee had recommended the government to direct the Finance Ministry to release the Rs 17.1 billion announced by the prime minister.

Rabbani said the committee also recommended the release of Rs 1.33 billion for the IDPs who had been registered but not compensated.

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