List of 734 LeJ men provided, PML-N govt must act now: Malik
04 March, 2013
LAHORE: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said he backs holding talks with Taliban. However, he added, it was not possible that they (Taliban) continue attacking the innocent people and also think of holding talks with the government. They will have abandon their terrorist activities to sit on table and initiate dialogue process. Talking to reporters at Lahore airport on his return from Dubai, he said a list of 734 activists of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ) has been provided to the Punjab government, and there is still time for the PML-N government to take action against them to repent their sins. He said it is a known reality that LJ is head-quartered in Punjab. Referring to the PML-N links with the LJ leaders, Malik said the PPP never maintained any links with the banned outfits at all. The PPP leaders never shared meals with the LJ leaders, or appeared in public gatherings. He said the LJ was involved in terrorist incidents in Quetta and Karachi. He claimed that backbone of Taliban has been broken by the PPP government action against the outfit. About relationship with Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Malik said talks could be held with the MQM over seat adjustment in the upcoming elections, as sometimes the PPP succeeds in convincing Altaf Hussain and sometimes he succeeds in convincing the PPP. He said talks with Altaf Hussain in London recently remained very successful and both parties would settle their issues through talks. He said the PPP would give a tough time to all political parties including the PML-N in the upcoming elections. He said the banned outfits also participated in the all parties conference, convened by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, and it would have been better had Taliban also invited to attend it. According to another media report, the interior minister said an FIR would be registered soon against those pinpointed in the Asghar Khan case verdict. He said the Asghar Khan case report has been sent to the defence ministry. The list includes the names of all generals, politicians and bankers who had received the money. That was public money and that should be returned to the national exchequer. End.
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