Lal Masjid operation
ISLAMABAD: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Friday directed the interior and information ministries to provide details about persons who had surrendered, were killed or injured or released during the Lal Masjid operation to the media so that people’s reservations could be addressed at the earliest.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the deteriorating law and order situation in the NWFP in the post-Lal Masjid situation, the president directed the authorities concerned to provide all the information to the media about the Lal Masjid operation.
The president directed the provincial government to take all possible measures to maintain law and order, assuring that the federal government would extend full support to them. In this regard, he said, the police and security forces would be increased in the NWFP and the tribal areas and they would be equipped with modern training, latest weaponry and communication systems. These measures would enable them to work in a better way to crush terrorism and extremism, he observed.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, President PML, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani, Religious Affairs Minister, Ejaz-ul-Haq, Minister of State for Information Senator Tariq Azeem and senior officials of law-enforcement agencies. —Online
Asim Yasin adds: The president also stressed the need to expedite the implementation of ‘Madrassa Strategy’ in consultation with all stakeholders, particularly the Wafaq-ul-Madaris. The meeting discussed the law and order situation, including the suicide attacks in Swat and Miranshah.
The president eulogized the professionalism, devotion to duty and, most of all, the restraint shown by the security forces in the operation. He also directed immediate steps for the renovation, uplift and beautification of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa.
The meeting was also briefed on the recently-concluded operation in Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa. It was noted that from the layout of fortifications, deployment of weapons and other evidences collected from the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa compound, it was apparent that its defence had been planned by hardened militants and terrorists.
The meeting was informed that the security forces exercised extreme restraint and, as a result, suffered greater casualties during the operation in order to ensure the security and release of innocent people being held hostage by the terrorist elements.
The president noted terrorism and extremism had not ended so far “We have to crush the militancy and extremism with full force. If we do not take sweeping steps now, tragedies like Lal Masjid would continue to take place.”
Reviewing the law and order situation, the president directed the provinces to take all security measures. The federal government will provide whatever assistance is needed in this respect. He urged seminaries to impart contemporary education besides religious education compatible with the needs of modern age. The Wafaq-ul-Madaris should play its role in this regard, he underscored.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said necessary directives had been issued to the provincial governments to maintain law and order following the Lal Masjid operation. According to sources, the president directed the departments concerned, particularly the interior ministry, to take immediate steps to lift the curfew in Sector G-6.
Source: The News
Date:7/14/2007
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