North Waziristan operation not on the cards: Rehman Malik

E-Paper | July 29, 2026

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Interior Minister Rehman Malik. — Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday said that no preparations were underway for a military operation in the North Waziristan tribal region, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives in Islamabad, Malik said the plot to attack 14-year-old rights activist Malala Yousufzai was made in the Pak-Afghan border region.

The minister moreover said that the details of shifting Malala to the UK had not been made public due to security concerns.

Malik said Malala's condition had improved and swelling on her brain's membrane had decreased.

Pakistani doctors were also accompanying Malala, the minister said, adding that, she could also breathe without a ventilator.

He said the impression that a military operation for North Waziristan was being planned in the wake of the attack on Malala was wrong.

The minister further said that Malala's attackers had been identified and the plot to attack the child activist had been made in the Pak-Afghan border region.

He said the names of the attackers were not being revealed for several reasons, adding that, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had threatened to attack Malala again.

The minister said certain media house had also been threatened by the militants over their coverage of the attack on Malala.

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Anand

Oct 15, 2012 09:52am

Who are you to decide?

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Anand

Oct 15, 2012 09:51am

Pakistan should not do anything what others want to do.

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Rational

Oct 15, 2012 09:40am

Good clear thinking for once.

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Muhammad Alvi

Oct 15, 2012 01:47pm

Things become normal! What do you consider normal? Were the things normal before this incident?

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Agha Ata (USA)

Oct 15, 2012 02:58pm

Incidentally, who is holding the cards? You, Mr. Rehman Malik, or the Army?

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FAIR

Oct 15, 2012 07:47am

Nobody ever thought this government to do anything against their bosom friends - Talibans. After all the sufferes are defenceless people.

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Cyrus Howell

Oct 15, 2012 05:36pm

They are afraid of an army revolt in my opinion.

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Laeeq, NY

Oct 15, 2012 12:46pm

This is the government weakness that it can not take on these outlaws bands of terrorist hiding in theses tribes. They are not able to handle them with iron fist but letting it go by loosing so many of our armed forces and innocent people. It is time to bring this part of Pakistan under the constitution of Pakistan. We can not change their medieval ideology with out offering them moderne education along with their tradition believes. If we want Pakistan a peaceful place, we need to bring peace in those tribal areas. Government of Pakistan must show its authority on this part of Pakistan otherwise there is no way to resolve conflict in this are.

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Ahmed Khan

Oct 15, 2012 03:16pm

Yes, just as I thought. Pakistan will not defend its borders and will not bring law and order to its people. Then lets have USA increase its drone attacks and do the job that Pakistanis don't have the guts to do it themselves.

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ramshankerdubey

Oct 15, 2012 09:22am

surrendering language

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Concerned Citizen

Oct 15, 2012 08:19am

Of course there would be no action for now.............and later until people move on to the next disaster.

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Cyrus Howell

Oct 15, 2012 07:00pm

What if the Taliban ruled our lives everyday, and we had to live in fear?

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Jaseem Pasha

Oct 15, 2012 04:55pm

Shame on you.

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Cyrus Howell

Oct 15, 2012 05:41pm

What is normal?

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Agha Ata (USA)

Oct 15, 2012 12:55pm

So, after a long deliberation and consideration all the chiefs of the armed forces decided to do nothing. WOW! I thought they did that (nothing) yester months and yester years. i didn't know they were not done yet!

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Chola

Oct 15, 2012 07:57am

What one fails to understand is that though the terrorist activities have been growing from the North Waziristan area why is the Government of Pakistan hesitating to take any action and in particular military one. Will it take the terror groups strike the PM or the President or COAS for any action to take place. Under the constitution all citizens are equal so when the common person is attacked dont they have right to justice the way the higher authorities have.

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Cyrus Howell

Oct 15, 2012 05:42pm

Who are "the others"?

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pyarali khoja

Oct 15, 2012 11:13am

Mr Malik keep making contradictory statements. Let Army do their work please.

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aqabdulaziz

Oct 15, 2012 11:12am

Pakistan should not do anything until things become normal.

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Hasan (Canada)

Oct 15, 2012 06:07pm

The only word that best describes taliban and government is same i.e "Cowards". Taliban for attacking Malala. Government afraid of Taliban. Shame on both of you.

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Abdullah Hussain

Oct 15, 2012 07:49pm

I think for the present the government has taken a good decision. Attack in south & north Waziristan is not the only answer. After all peaceful means are exhausted only then extreme steps can be considered. Jazbati Faislay Acchay Nahi Hotain, please understand Pakistan cannot afford such outings now.

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