ISLAMABAD: Israel, India and Afghanistan were responsible for rising incidents of terrorism in the country, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference, he called for thwarting the conspiracies being hatched by Israel, India and Afghanistan’s intelligence agency against “our security”.

He said he had called off a rally and fireworks outside Lal Haveli schedule for Aug 13 in view of intelligence reports.

The interior minister said the nation was united on issues like Kashmir and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, adding that it would not tolerate “obstacles in the way of CPEC”.

“I had a meeting with the Chinese ambassador last week and also spoke to the security minister about the Dasu blast. The law enforcement agencies have completed their investigation into the tragedy. The foreign minister will disclose the details,” Sheikh Rashid said.

He chided the opposition for threatening to resist the arrest of Shehbaz Sharif, saying that “nothing unusual happened when Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged”.

“Since Shehbaz Sharif is not a greater leader than Bhutto, his arrest will not lead to anarchy.”

Sheikh Rashid warned terrorists and criminals that the law would take its course if they “dare defy it”.

He advised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to return home as “you now have only two options left” _ file an appeal against the British government’s refusal to grant extension in his stay or to apply for asylum.

“A real leader is one who lives and dies for his nation.” The minister said heavens do not fall if a leader goes to jail, recalling that he had been sentenced to seven years imprisonment in a “fake Kalashnikov case”.

About security arrangements for Muharram, Sheikh Rashid said all provinces had been asked to seek the help of civil armed forces. “I will be visiting the four provinces to review measures for law and order.”

He requested mourners and the ulema to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) worked out by the National Command and Operation Centre during Muharram.