RAWALPINDI, April 13: President General Pervez Musharraf has directed federal intelligence agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into Tuesday’s terrorist act in Karachi to find those responsible for the heinous crime and bring them to justice.
He issued the instruction during a meeting with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz who had called on him after returning from Karachi.
The two leaders expressed the government’s determination to award exemplary punishment to the culprits of the heinous crime.
The president and the prime minister said the government would not allow extremists and terrorists to play with the lives of innocent citizens.
They reviewed the overall law and order situation in the country, especially in the context of Tuesday’s dastardly act of terrorism. They appealed to the people to demonstrate restraint and calm and assist the government in its efforts.
The prime minister informed the president about his visit to Karachi and discussions with the political leadership.
He said he had directed the provincial government to take all possible measures to ensure security and maintenance of law and order.
Earlier talking to newsmen in Karachi after a meeting with Ulema and Mashaikh, Mr Aziz hinted that a headway had been made in the probe into the Nishter Park blast.
Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and federal minister for Religious Affairs Ejazul Haq were present on the occasion.
The prime minister said that the federal as well as the Sindh governments were endeavouring to find out who were behind the tragic incident and bring them to justice.
He said results would come to the fore soon and would be presented before the nation.
Replying to a question, he said a number of measures had been taken and a detailed meeting in this connection would soon be held.
The prime minister said that he as well as Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao and Minister for Religious Affairs Ejazul Haq, who came with him, had held meetings with the Sindh governor, chief minister, home minister and senior officials of the federal and provincial law-enforcement agencies.
He said that Mr Sherpao and Mr Ejazul Haq had held a meeting with the Council of the Sunni Tehrik on Wednesday night and the process of meetings and contacts with other personalities was continuing.
He declared the endeavour of the government was to ensure that peace and law and order was maintained in the city.
The prime minister pointed out that the elements behind the blast were enemies of the country and Islam.
Shaukat Aziz said the investigation would be conducted in a transparent manner.
In his meeting with Ulema and Mashaikh, Mr Aziz urged them to play their role to project Islam in its true perspective.
He said Islam is a religion of peace, amity, tolerance and brotherhood.
He also asked the Ulema to cooperate in efforts to promote harmony among followers of various schools of thought.
He noted that Ulema and Mashaikh were playing their role towards this end.
He pointed out that acts of terrorism, sectarianism and extremism served nobody’s interests and that concerted efforts needed to be made to root out the menace.
Condemning the Nishtar Park blast, he said that those who lost their lives in the tragic incident were true martyrs and he prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage and fortitude to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss.
He pointed out that improvements were being made in the judicial system with a view to ensuring that people got speedy justice and those guilty were punished. He said he would welcome the opinion and recommendations of the Ulema.
The Ulema emphasised the need for apprehending the culprits at the earliest and brining them to justice.
