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| No FBI agents injured in hotel blast: Cheema |
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008
By Mobarik A Virk
ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry Spokesman, Brig (R) Javed Iqbal Cheema, on Tuesday said that no FBI agents were among the injured in the Saturday evening blast in the Italian restaurant located in Sector F-6/3.
While addressing the weekly press briefing the Interior Ministry spokesman, however, confirmed that the Legal AttachÈ and his deputy of the Embassy of the United States of America, along with another two officials of the same department, were the four US nationals who were injured in the blast.
Answering a question as to why these Americans have left the country without recording their statements with the police after the blast, which was required under the law to help in investigations, Brig (R) Cheema said, "They have not gone for the good. They will come back."
When pressed further as to how many FBI officials are in Pakistan, he said that there were no agents here. "There are no agents here. Let me make one thing very clear. Yes, there were four American nationals who got injured in this incident and they belonged to the Legal AttachÈ's Department serving inthe US embassy as diplomats," Brig (R) Cheema said.
He said that 'reasonably good progress' is being made in the investigations into the incident. "I am quite hopeful that we would made tangible progress on this and would be able to reach the perpetrators sooner than later," he said.
He declined to comment on a question whether the people behind the attack at the Italian restaurant might have information about the presence of the people who were injured in the blast. "I can't comment on this until the investigations progress and we get to know the results," he said. However, he said that it was more probable that the bomb was thrown from outside than being planted.
When asked whether foreigners were the specific targets of this attack, the Interior Ministry spokesman said that there was no cause of any alarm or panic."The law enforcement agencies are alive to this problem and we have taken extraordinary measures to sanitize Islamabad particularly in view of the sensitivities," he added.
Earlier, he extended condolences to the family of the Turkish lady who lost her life in the blast. "The tragic loss of the national of brotherly country Turkey is indeed heartrending for all Pakistanis. We also sympathize with all those injured in the despicable act, which was part of the subversive elements' designs to undermine national security and stability," he said.
The Interior Ministry spokesman categorically denied the involvement of FBI or any foreign intelligence agency in the suicide attack on the FIA offices in Lahore. He also said that the use of 'C4' explosive material in the suicide bombing also was not an indicator pointing in any specific direction as it is used in many countries all over the world.
Asked if action would be taken against one or more of the already banned (militant) organizations if their activists were found to be involved in the Lahore blast, the Interior Ministry spokesman said, "All those people, who have been involved in these heinous crimes would be prosecuted under the law of the land and they would be taken to task."
When asked whether the Indian government has made any contact with Pakistan on the issue of Sarabjeet Singh, who is on the death row and whether Pakistan government is considering condoning his death sentence, Brig (R) Cheema said that there was no official communication received in this regard (from India). "As far as I know his hanging is fixed for 1st of April," he said.
About the Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails he said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in touch with the Indian government on the prisoners' issue, which is being discussed between the two governments.
He also announced that an important 'expert level meeting' of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is scheduled to be held in Islamabad from March 25 to 27.
"Pakistan is hosting this second meeting of the focal persons on 'Counter Terrorism,' which would be attended by the representatives from eight member states of the organization alongside back to back meeting of Police Chiefs of SAARC member states. The meeting on counter terrorism will focus on finding ways and means to enhance cooperation in the field of counter terrorism amongst the member states," he said.
When asked what became of the recommendations of the first meeting also held in Islamabad, the Interior Ministry spokesman said, "We have moved forward. We have discussed the ways and means to enhance our cooperation, particularly information and intelligence sharing and our cooperation is progressing well."
Earlier, in his opening statement he condemned suicide attack in Swat on Monday, which killed two policemen and left many more injured. "The terrorists have been targeting the security personnel. The law enforcement machinery cannot be deterred and remains alert and vigilant across the country to defeat the designs of the terrorists," he said.
He also appreciated the elaborate security arrangements put in place in and around the Parliament House for holding of the inaugural oath-taking session of the newly elected National Assembly. "The security apparatus is fully geared up to discharge its responsibilities to ensure foolproof security for the forthcoming meetings of the National Assembly," he said.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
