No Blackwater in country: Malik

Local Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Blackwater is not operating in the country and national security agencies are protecting the prime minister and the president, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Monday.

“No Blackwater or foreign security agency is providing security cover to the president or the prime minister. Our police and security agencies are fully capable of providing them security,” he said, adding that security personnel in 40 vehicles had been deputed to give security cover to the premier and the president.

To a point raised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member of National Assembly Ishrat Ashraf during the proceedings of the House, the minister requested the chair to expunge her remarks that he found tantamount to undermining the performance of local security forces.

Later, talking to journalists at the Parliament House, he said a joint investigation of the Youm-e-Ashur and chehlum carnage in Karachi had been launched to bring those responsible to justice. He said the possibility of foreign involvement in the heinous acts of terrorism could not be ruled out.

The minister condemned Friday’s attacks on mourners’ bus and the Jinnah Hospital’s emergency ward. He said security experts would probe the incidents and details would be shared afterwards.

Malik said target killing had ended in the port city and peace had been ensured after hectic efforts by the government. Concerning the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) incident, he said the university had been closed down for three days as a security measure.

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