ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Sunday that a committee headed by Inspector General of Police has been formed to probe the burning of a church in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

While talking to media persons on Sunday, the Minister strongly condemned the incident of burning of church. He said that it was contrary to the teachings of Islam which calls for respecting places of worship of all religions.

Malik also assured that security will be provided to all the churches in the country, urging the Christian community to remain patient. He said this time country are facing external and internal threats.

Referring to Friday's protest rallies, he said 64 people are in police custody and investigations are going on. He said shells of the bullets fired by the protesters have been found in Islamabad.

He said the incidents of ransacking, firing and burning of government and private properties during protest demonstrations was against the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The federal minister appreciated the peaceful protest rally of Chief Patron of Tehrik-e- Minhajul Quran International Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri.

Replying a question, he said 35 thousand protesters had entered from Punjab on Friday. He said protesters were brought to Islamabad via Faizabad and Bhara Kahu.

The interior minister said voice will be raised against blasphemous film at SAARC forum, adding that anti Islam film spoiled world peace.

He said the government has nothing to do with statement of Ghulam Ahmed Bilour.

Rehman Malik said the government had announced to support the protest on the eve of Yaum-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (PBUH) and provided a stage to the people to record a peaceful protest, but they could not come up on the stage.