Malik wants action against extremist groups

LONDON: Former interior minister Rehman Malik Friday alleged that Punjab had become a refuge centre for militants fleeing the North Waziristan military operation and urged the government and the military to target militants indiscriminately.
He was addressing a press conference at the MQM International Secretariat here where he paid a visit to condole the killing of MQM lawmaker Tahira Asif.MQM Coordination Committee members Nadeem Nusrat, Mustafa Azizabadi, Muhammad Anwar, Waseem Akhtar, Wasay Jalil and others were present on the occasion.
Malik said Tahira Asif’s murder was pre-planned. He said the killers knew about Tahira’s movements and whereabouts.Malik called on the government to order a judicial inquiry into the incident, as the deceased had requested the Punjab government for security.
Malik said Punjab had been home to the banned sectarian and militant groups for a long time now but no action was taken against what them.Malik said the roots of terrorism in Pakistan lead towards Miran Shah and those areas where the military operation was going on. The MQM leaders called on the government to form a commission to probe the killing of Tahira Asif.