Official security for Lal Masjid cleric withdrawn
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ISLAMABAD: Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz enjoyed official security for three years, said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference here, the minister said official security had been provided to the cleric since 2011, which he (minister) withdrew a day back.
About the status of Maulana Aziz, who was using the microphone of a government-owned mosque against the state, the minister said he was not the khateeb of the mosque.
ALso read: Lal Masjid protest: FIR registered against Maulana Aziz
He said one of Aziz’s nephews was appointed as the khateeb of the mosque when Pervez Musharraf was in power. In reply to a question about the threats being hurled from Lal Masjid, the minister said nobody would be allowed to live in Pakistan and challenge the state.
He, however, said the government would not follow Musharraf’s policy and deal with such elements under a well thought-out strategy.
The minister said 90 per cent of religious seminaries had nothing to do with terrorism and it was not fair to criticise all of them.
He said there might be questions about funding to the seminaries and illegal possession of land by them, but most of the madressahs were serving the cause of Pakistan and Islam.
He said a strategy was being worked out to deal with seminaries having ‘links’ with terrorists.
The minister added that over 4,000 intelligence-based raids had been conducted across the country after the launch of the military operation following the collapse of the dialogue process with militants.
He said many terrorists and their sympathisers were arrested during these operations.
He said an active and responsible role played by the citizens can make it impossible for the terrorists to carry out any harmful activity.
He said a survey of households in Islamabad had been completed.
Published in Dawn December 22th , 2014
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Comments (73) Closed
Dec 22, 2014 06:38am
Bring Musharraf back! He was right about everything. He got into a tiff with the judiciary because they kept releasing terrorists and he stood alone against an entire nation that criticised him. Our policial leaders are worthless and the only reason you're seeing a response is because the decisions are not going through the political leaders anymore. We have a pseudo coup and we need to continue it
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Dec 22, 2014 06:42am
This Mullah always supported the terrorists so why he was given the security in the first place?
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Dec 22, 2014 06:44am
Here is an apologist talking. '....90% of religious seminaries...'
Nisar knows fully well that seminaries are indoctrination centers
for future terrorists. This is how apologists for TTP protect terrorists.
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Dec 22, 2014 06:44am
Mr Nisar, please borrow some courage from civil society if you want to be minister in-charge during these challenging times or consider resigning and be safe in your village. Thanks.
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Dec 22, 2014 06:46am
Mr. Nisar I'm surprised you're interior minister. You can't even remove a Mullah from government mosque.
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Dec 22, 2014 06:50am
Is he still receiving a salary from the state? If he is not the khateeb, isn't there a law that he broke by using the mosque to spew antistate and pro Taliban venom
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Dec 22, 2014 06:50am
Sometimes I just cannot believe what I am hearing. So the last two elected governments fixed or not have been providing this preacher of hate protection.
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Dec 22, 2014 06:54am
Providing security to a man who is the center of gravity for the ideology of terrorism to kill our innocents and soldiers. No wonder Pakistan is called the safe haven for terrorists. I am no longer mad at Indians for criticizing us in this regard. Get rid of this Man, Please.
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Dec 22, 2014 07:03am
It can only happen in Pakistan where a terrorist been provided Govt. Security which clearly shows Govt. mindset. Nisar is showing the same apologetic attitude where he shows his inability to act against Punjab based terrorist, what's the use of 1 million plus security personnel when you cannot take control of Govt. Mosque from where suicide attack threats has been given?
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Dec 22, 2014 07:07am
Protection for an anti state, anti-Pakistan element. Kudos to those who thought of it. Let's talk about unquestioned "national interest" by a privileged few.
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Dec 22, 2014 07:12am
Pakistan will never be a successful country until it rids itself of the so called religious seminaries and mullahs. Any group that hides behind the cloak of Islam to criticize another interpretation of Islam and who cannot live in a pluralist society should not be allowed to flourish in the country. There should be a policy of no tolerance with thugs who use try to use Islam as their basis for their thuggish behavior. Until this is wiped out of the society, Pakistan will never flourish.
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Dec 22, 2014 07:20am
Can't believe it that this enemy of the people was enjoying state security when his terrorists were killing the people of this very state. PPP, PML and all those parties who shared power have to explain this to the parents of shaheed children. Will PTI do a sit-in against this enemy of state? People of Pakistan need an answer from their political leaders.
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Dec 22, 2014 07:22am
Friendship between Abdulaziz and Ch. Nisar has finally ended. He will be dealt with like Sikandar.
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Dec 22, 2014 07:34am
This is a bad move by the government. The maulana has not been proven of doing anything wrong. If something does happen to him, the people of Pakistan will pay the price. So, it is better that he be kept safe.
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Dec 22, 2014 07:56am
Dear Chaudhry Nisar, your government has been silent and inactive against this man until public pressure and circumstances forced you to be otherwise and you're still trying to blame anyone but yourselves with every thing you say.
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Dec 22, 2014 07:56am
Why was this guy getting security at our cost till now ?!?
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Dec 22, 2014 07:57am
Chaudhry Nisar said, " the government would not follow Musharraf’s policy and deal with such elements under a well thought-out strategy"...
Chaudhry Sahib, if you have not thought of a strategy as yet and you do not want to follow Musharraf then please take my advice... go to sleep
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Dec 22, 2014 07:59am
What??? He was provided official security?? For what purpose?? Why would the state use the taxpayers money on those who are responsible for terrorism...It was not Musharaf who was responsible for the deaths of children at Lal Majid, it was this guy who thanks to our interior ministry was given state protocol....He ran in veil while holding back those children in the Mosque....He should have been hanged by now in the public
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Dec 22, 2014 08:06am
Wow! Why our tax money was used to protect this low life?
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Dec 22, 2014 08:08am
A sacrificial animal by now.
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Dec 22, 2014 08:09am
Why Mr Khan is withdrawing his security only today and if he is not khateeb at what capacity he uses Masjid. Excellent Governance by this government.
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Dec 22, 2014 08:19am
Ch Nisar says many terrorists and their sympathisers were arrested in the last few days and yet a large number of these were seen around lal masjid in support of the Mulla and no where his police was seen.Ch Nisar also said the Madressas were serving the cause of Islam and Pakistan. It is the responsibility of the government to provide proper education to all Pakistan and should therefore immediately nationalise all Madressas which have become the main source of militancy
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Dec 22, 2014 08:29am
Confused PML-N will remain confused
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Dec 22, 2014 08:37am
[quote]
The minister said 90 per cent of religious seminaries had nothing to do with terrorism and it was not fair to criticise all of them.
[/quote]
How may pakistanis believe this lie? Just get out from your home and check out your nearby area.
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Dec 22, 2014 08:40am
I don't beleive this ! Official security has been provided to this snake !!! What for
Thank you Mr. Rehman Malik and PPP all the hard work you did during your years in power for this cleric by providing land and construction curtesy by RIAZ Malik . Now you come up with innocent face on TV and do all drama . Shame on you .
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Dec 22, 2014 08:41am
The interior minister still has his head buried in sand. The truth of the matter is that 90% of seminaries are involved, one way or another, in promoting hatred and sectarianism. Also, what a shocking news that the Lal Masjid cleric was protected at the expense of tax payers money while ordinary citizens were at the mercy of terrorist.
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Dec 22, 2014 09:13am
It is shame that goverment provided security to this thug! Why he was treated like royalty? Chaudhry Nisar once is right when he said terrorists are amongst us but the irony is Abdul Aziz was protected by same establishment whom Chaudhary Nisar belongs! It is chilling fact!
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Dec 22, 2014 09:16am
he or his nephew its the same thing...we are kidding only ourselves
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Dec 22, 2014 09:19am
"He, however, said the government would not follow Musharraf’s policy and deal with such elements under a well thought-out strategy."
So, in summary, you have got nothing. Your leaders, the Sharifs, are the biggest beneficiaries of the support from the religious groups and this is why you want to deal with these religious nuts "under a well thought-out strategy", which means, they will not be touched. People like you and your bosses have no conscience, that is for sure. I don't know how you go to sleep every night knowing well that your policies are only protecting the elite and not the common masses whose families are being killed every day by the terrorists.
Dawn, please publish.
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Dec 22, 2014 09:26am
It is individuals like Chaudhury Nisar who are responsible for permitting molvis to ruin the minds of young students placed in their control.
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Dec 22, 2014 09:28am
Now when the government has people's mandate they should deal with these mullahs with iron hands for spreading extremism and religious intolerance which contradicts to the teachings of Islam. It's an open secret that several well known madressahs have a huge stock pile of arms and ammunition which are being used to target minorities. Now the time is ripe to clean up these so called madressahs and expose these mullahs in public.
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Dec 22, 2014 09:31am
Mr Minister be honest with your nation...otherwise you won t like street justice....Pakistani citizen need security and they are frustrated from your daily stories.....
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Dec 22, 2014 09:34am
"...the government would not follow Musharraf’s policy and deal with such elements under a well thought-out strategy." ----> because the govt doesn't have the guts and courage to do so...
"The minister said 90 per cent of religious seminaries had nothing to do with terrorism and it was not fair to criticise all of them."----> Because those 90% are supported by you!
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Dec 22, 2014 09:41am
90 per cent of religious seminaries are involved with terrorism sir.. plz speak true..
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Dec 22, 2014 09:47am
"The minister said 90 per cent of religious seminaries had nothing to do with terrorism and it was not fair to criticise all of them"
He already knew about this and did nothing about the other 10%, in law this is called "aiding and abetting".
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Dec 22, 2014 09:47am
the reason for providing security since 2011???rehman malik, qamar kaira plz
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Dec 22, 2014 09:48am
How the citizens should play an active and responsible role when state itself is not clear about its enemies?Mullah Aziz' nephew is Khateeb and microphone is used by Mullah Aziz but state can neither take action against Mullah Aziz nor against his nephew.If someone starts issuing statements on behalf of the Interior Minister, what would be his reaction to that ?
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Dec 22, 2014 09:54am
His security, salary, and shelter is paid for by the people of Pakistan, yet this ungrateful person won't even condemn the slaughter of Pakistani children but would rather stand with its enemy.. ironic..does this happen anywhere else in the world?
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Dec 22, 2014 09:57am
Why such criminal enjoy on our tax money such security ? When he openly say He does not accept the constitution of Pakistan What Joke ,!!!
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Dec 22, 2014 09:59am
I remember few months back a hand grenade exploded inside a madarsa in site area of karachi and the chants to be heard were pakistan murdabad by afghan looking students of the seminary...no fir was launched as the grenade was brought in by one of the students which he had "found" outside.
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Dec 22, 2014 10:03am
if he was not the kahteeb of the govt owned mosque.. why the heck was he provided official security by OUR MONEY? :@
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Dec 22, 2014 10:03am
Lets name the seminaries that are responsible for graduating the most terrorists, and shut them down! The Government has the data and backgorund from where all the members of Taliban originate.
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Dec 22, 2014 10:07am
So Mr Nawaz sharif was providing him security for the last three years. What does that make him?
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Dec 22, 2014 10:21am
Islam doesnt need a mullah to thrive, but mullah needs Islam to survive.
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Dec 22, 2014 10:36am
That is how taxpayers money is spent in this country.
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Dec 22, 2014 10:39am
@Danial Absolutely correct - I could not agree with you more! He was right and now Gen. Raheel Sharif is correct in going after the cowards and terrorists! The political leaders have all failed. This Maulana was released from Supreme Court in 2009 even after killing our soldiers in 2007 and then was given official security? Enough is enough - absolutely shameless government of both PPP and PML-N.
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Dec 22, 2014 10:58am
I salute Dawn newspaper for its reporting on all aspects of the tragic event since December 16th. Amazingly excellent objective analyses by many, each one educating and full of substance. Finally, a newspaper is expressing what plays on the minds of Pakistanis with clarity and precision. Please do not stop, carry on in this vein, we the public should not forget the bestiality that has been taking place time and again with absolute impunity; 50,000 lives tragically lost are 50,000 too many, in their memory those responsible for it must be made accountable; perhaps pressure from the media, especially the excellent columns printed in Dawn, combined with civil society's demand for change will return Pakistan to the pre-Afghan Soviet debacle times; yes, Pakistan was a very peaceful and hospitable nation then, no one was aware whether one was Sunni, Shia, Ahmedi or whatever, and the Pakhtun code of honour was to be proud of - we must put all our will towards achieving our past once again. Well done Dawn, you are pointing towards the right path.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:10am
Dear Mr. Nisar, If you have the courage, stop prosecuting Musharraf on Ghazi's murder and give him a Medal of Honor. I am sure very soon you will see that Bugti's so-called murder was also right.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:20am
This hypocrite mulla should be kicked out of this mosque immediately. We should buy him one way ticket to anywhere he pleased.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:20am
Musharaff was right for many things and this Lal Masjid prved that Musharaff took the right action against the Mullahs of this mosque. this Mullah Abdul Aziz should be hanged.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:32am
Hey perhaps a dumb question but why do we need Madrasa's and Seminiries? Since we are in 21st century, would it be a good idea to move the 90% good and 10% bad seminary students to a place called schools? Problems of Pakistan seems pretty simple and easy if anyone really wants to solve them.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:32am
Why was security provided to this man? Secondly, please disclose the names of the 10% madrassas so I can take my children out of them.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:37am
This is actually a very good example of why common citizens get killed in this chaotic republic. Providing security to someone who is nothing but a peace of trash, wearing Islamic clothing and promoting hatred and violence; was the most idiotic decision. Why did the great Ch.Nisar removed the security now? His statement about Madrasahs is also questionable and shows that the folks still did not get the message. Where do we get these jokers in our politics? I mean every school teaches Islamic Studies, so why is the need of Madrasah and for what? If we claim to be a muslim country then every child has muslim parents, who are more than qualified to teach the fundamentals/core values of Islam, and that is all we need. If they cant do that, and believe some ignorant villager wearing beard and carelessly interpreting Quran, is going to put their child on the right track, then they definitely need spiritual awakening. There should be a movement in Pakistan to convert Mulla's like Maulana Aziz to Islam.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:37am
Some decision at last. Some nerve at last. Some semblance of exercising legitimate authority at last. Some demonstration of the will to act at last. Some concern for the citizens at last. But it is only "some". Not All. It is just the beginning.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:42am
Pakistan has no future.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:46am
Finally government decided to disowned their dirty laundry. Give Mushraf this country for one year and we will wipe out all Talibans and their supporters. Pakistan can work on this media frenzy and vip culture democracy. We need military courts and few hour trials and then followed a execution.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:48am
I was quite amazed to see that only two of our leaders have spoken with courage and condemmened boldly, the sympatsier of terrorists, the way a leader should. One is Mr Altaf Hussain who came out openly and spoke against Maulana Aziz and Lal masjid without mincing words. The other to show the courage and conviction was Mr Musharaf. Sadly I was dissapointed by the castrated response of all other political leaders. As a matter of fact there have been few who have outrightly condemmed but I dont beleive in "condemenation" through party spokes person. Leader dont hide behind...they come out openly and say what is right and what is wrong.
Mr Altaf and Mr Musharaf deserves the credit
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Dec 22, 2014 11:52am
Dear Salman
a vampire who does see nothing wrong with killing innocent children. if a crooked and hypocrite who is openly favoring the blood thirsty Taliban, and a person who amassed money and built beautiful houses in Islamabad by supporting anti state elements is innocent, then who could ever be a criminal in this world??
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Dec 22, 2014 11:54am
These types of persons are unequivocally show leniency toward terrorists. Moulana of Lal Masjid is the biggest one of them.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:56am
He already has dozens of terrorists in his basement. Official security is just a formality.
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Dec 22, 2014 11:59am
Shame on you Mr Nisar. What is the difference between an apologist and you now?
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Dec 22, 2014 12:01pm
Providing security to such persons means PML (N) govt is also facilitator of these barbarians. Minister has disclose this one only how many others such persons availing state's security are yet to be declared
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Dec 22, 2014 12:18pm
Thank god we Pakistanis have now understood protecting devil will only let devil prevail in our society , I pray to Allah daily let our leaders and religious famatic folllowers understand india is not our enemy they are peaceful people, This time has proven us . and these extremists are real enemy of humanity this also they have proven all over the globe.
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Dec 22, 2014 12:37pm
This man had been given official security? Like seriously?
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Dec 22, 2014 12:49pm
This is absolutely mind boggling and shocking. Whoever ordered security for this hypocrite should be put into jail and the keys thrown away. Musharraf was right about many things but the old and rustic politicians and their supporters misled many.
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Dec 22, 2014 12:58pm
@Mehtab he is afraid terrorists will come after him and kill him
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Dec 22, 2014 01:03pm
@Fahim Khan they will. They don't have a mandate to rule the country. They are here for their personal agendas and that involves play safe and stay out of trouble from going after terrorists.
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Dec 22, 2014 01:55pm
Too little, too late!
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Dec 22, 2014 02:05pm
He enjoyed security for killing people. Shame for PPP government. Shall there be an end to hypocricy?
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Dec 22, 2014 02:08pm
@Danial : Dont forget about kargil.. he played game where defeat was certain. He didnt get punished about that in pakistan. Bravo Indian Security Forces..
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Dec 22, 2014 02:12pm
Pathetic state policies, why was this radical mullah and a terrorist given govt security in the first place? There are poor procedures of criminals persecution too but Pakistan's courts are no doubt sympathetic to extremists and terrorists. I am hopeless from yhe the affairs of this country.
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Dec 22, 2014 02:15pm
Nisar is probably the worst interior minister ever. What happened to the much hyoed NACTA, what about his counter terrorism policy. All he could come uo with was 'Zada rotiyan khareednay walo pe nazar rakhien' This country needs radical changes to get rid of menance of terrorism and extremism any soon
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Dec 25, 2014 05:25am
@Dr. Ghazi . You are correct! Abdul Aziz said few days back, don't bring Musharraf's policy after his royal security protection was taken off! At least this devil is scared of some one at least! Government still has not taken responsibility for failing law and order situation in the country. Chaudhry Nisar you are brave enough to apologize to the public and do the needful so no further lives are lost!
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