ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Saturday that the government would move in accordance with the interim order of the Supreme Court on the law and order situation in Karachi and take action against the Taliban in the city.

Talking to reporters, he said Karachi was turning into a stronghold of the Taliban and some measures against them had already been initiated.

He said the government would address the apex court’s reservations on the situation in Karachi but added that some aspects of the reasons behind the law and order problem would also be brought to its notice.

Answering a question about the Asghar Khan case, he said action would be taken without any discrimination after the announcement of the detailed verdict. He welcomed a statement by Nawaz Sharif in which the PML-N leader said he was ready to face the FIA probe in the case.

Mr Malik said collective efforts were needed to resolve the issue of Balochistan, adding he would give a detailed briefing to the Supreme Court on the crisis in the province.

Mr Malik said Attaullah and Ehsanullah Hussain, who allegedly attacked Malala Yousufzai, would be captured soon.

Sitara-i-Shujaat

Announcing Sitara-i-Shujaat for Kainat and Shazia, the girls were also wounded during the attack on Malala, the minister said it was his duty to announce the gallantry award for anyone who did any service for the development of the country.

In reply to a question, he said Malala’s parents had requested the British High Commission for a long-term visa and not political asylum.

The minister said that he had asked Inspector General of Police to arrest his brother (Khalid Malik) if he was found involved in any illegal activity. Khalid Malik was reportedly among those who attacked Mr Wajihuzzaman, a member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, in Islamabad on Thursday.