By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Pakistan Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao Monday categorically rejected the demand of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto for getting assistance of foreign experts in investigating the Oct 18 blasts in Karachi.
“The government have not sought any assistance in the investigation of vitally important terrorist cases committed in the past i.e. two suicide bombings each against President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz,” he said.
Talking to media persons here, he said, “Our investigation teams and security agencies are fully capable of conducting investigation into the Karachi blasts.”
“The political parties should have trust and confidence in our own investigation and security agencies,” he said.
Sherpao said the government has directed the provincial government to conduct the investigation in a professional and objective manner.
The Minister said such gory incidents pose a challenge to the government and as such concerted and serious efforts are being made to solve this case.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Senator Tariq Azeem has urged the leadership of Pakistan Peoples’ Party Parliamentarians to avoid entering into blame game over Karachi bomb blasts.
Speaking in a PTV programme late Sunday night the Minister said that investigation into the incident is in progress and it will be inappropriate for anyone to impose responsibility of the act on any individual or institution without having any proof.
The Minister said so many precious lives of the Pakistani citizens have been lost in the incident and it would be inappropriate for anyone to do politics on the dead bodies of the innocent people.
The victims, either the bystanders, onlooker, police personnel or the PPPP workers, were the citizens of Pakistan and every Pakistani is grieved on this human tragedy, the Minister said.
He said that President General Pervez Musharraf has personally talked to the PPPP Chairperson to condole the loss of innocent lives. He said the perpetrators on identification would be punished accordingly.
Tariq Azeem said that Benazir Bhutto was warned earlier not only by the authorities at home but some friendly foreign countries had also warned her.
Prior to her return, she was informed that her life can be in danger, he said adding this warning was based on well informed sources.
He said that in recent past the PPPP Chairperson had issued certain statements relating to Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and giving access to foreign forces to launch operation inside Pakistan’s territory in pursuit of terrorist.
In the prevailing circumstance, he said, she should have taken extra care.
To a question the Minister said that there is no weight in the stance of PPPP leadership that political leadership has no other way to carry on political activity other than processions and rallies.
He said all over the world including India political processions are avoided in the circumstances after the events of 9/11.
The political parties can arrange public meetings at a specific location so that the security agencies could make foolproof protective arrangements, he said.
He said that there is media access in contemporary world and the political leaders can remain in contact with people through this source.
The Minister said that during the processions the leaders are usually provided extra security cover and travel in bullet proof vehicles while the common people are usually victims of untoward incidents if they unfortunately take place.
So the politician should consider the fate of these innocent people while demonstrating their political power, he added.
He stressed upon the need to evolve a national consensus to ensure that next general elections are conducted in peaceful conditions.