KARACHI: Federal Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik Monday claimed that the backbone of proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been cracked.
"If Punjab government launches a crackdown on the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, the scourge of terrorism could be eliminated," Rehman Malik said while talking to media persons after enquiring about the health of Abbas Town victims during his visit to Agha Khan Hospital here.
He said 'Punjabi Taliban' and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) are behind terrorist acts being perpetrated in Pakistan. "Every time I utter the name of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, it give the Punjab government jitters," he added.
The Interior Minister told the reporters that as many as 34 FIRs are lodged against LeJ leader Malik Ishaq and the Punjab government instead of taking him into custody criticizes him (Rehman Malik).
He said the authorities are after three-four LeJ leaders and they will soon be nabbed.
Malik asked as to why the Punjab government does not close down the offices of LeJ in the province. "The passage of the 18th amendment has passed on the responsibility to tackle terrorism to the provinces," he said.
He said his job was to provide intelligence which he has been performing without fail. "I have been repeating for the past three months that the country will witness surge in acts of terrorism but I have been ridiculed for that," he lamented.
The Interior Minister said there was a similarity in the terror strikes of Quetta and Karachi. In both the incidents chemicals were transported from Punjab, he added.