KARACHI Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday ruled out the presence of Islamic State (IS) militants in Pakistan.

“No organisation of this name exists in Pakistan,” the interior minister said while speaking to media representatives after addressing the passing-out parade of Rangers in Karachi.

Nisar said several militant organisations were operating in Pakistan as well as on the other side of the border.

The statement comes days after the provincial government of Balochistan conveyed a confidential report to law enforcement agencies warning of increased footprints of IS, also known by the Arabic acronym Daish, in Pakistan.

The ‘secret information report' stated that the IS has claimed to have recruited a massive 10 to 12,000 followers from the Hangu and Kurram Agency tribal areas.

Wall-chalking has also begun to appear in support of IS in some cities of Pakistan, including Karachi and Khanewal.

Take a look: IS recruiting thousands in Pakistan, govt warned in 'secret' report

Nisar lauds Sindh Rangers’ role in Karachi operation

Nisar also lauded the role of Pakistan Rangers Sindh, saying that it had carried out 4,000 raids and arrested 7,500 criminals during the 14-month long targeted operation in Karachi, said a report published on Radio Pakistan.

Addressing the passing-out parade of Rangers basic recruits training course-18 in Karachi, he expressed the hope that the left mission of maintaining complete order in the Karachi will successfully be accomplished by the new leadership of the Pakistan Rangers Sindh.

On the occasion, he lauded the role of former Director General of Pakistan Rangers Sindh General Rizwan Akhtar who led and initiated the operation against criminals in the city.

He also paid rich tributes to the soldiers of Pakistan Rangers and armed forces of the country who have sacrifices their precious lives safeguarding their motherland and combating terrorists.

He expressed the hope that the recruits who passed-out today will play their role in protecting their motherland and countrymen.