SIALKOT, Oct 5: Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has sought cooperation of religious scholars of all sects, traders and the public to maintain peace and weed out terrorism.

At a meeting of ulema and traders at the Civil Rest House in Cantonment on Tuesday afternoon, he also exhorted the religious scholars to shun their differences and bear the ghastly blast incident with fortitude. He also urged them to promote harmony and fraternity.

He stressed the need for adopting some solid steps to avoid terrorism. The government, he said, was making all-out efforts to efface the malaise. Prominent among others at the meeting were Punjab Power Minister Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani, Federal Interior Secretary Tariq Mehmood, District Nazim Mian Naeem Javed, DCO Syed Tahir Raza Naqvi, Gujranwala Range DIG Chaudhry Altaf Qamar and former Sialkot DPO Nisar Ahmad Saroya.

Later, talking to the newsmen, the federal minister said the mosque blast was a conspiracy to sabotage peace and economic activities in the district. He claimed the incident was a reaction to Amjad Farooqi's killing.

Answering a question, Mr Sherpao said the intelligence and law-enforcement agencies in the country were delivering, as they had averted a large number of untoward incidents by getting information and acting timely in the past. He said security had been enhanced across the country after the incident.

On the investigation of the blast tragedy, he said all options and possibilities were being considered during the course of the probe. He told newsmen that Sialkot based traders, exporters and ulema had assured the government of their cooperation for maintaining peace.

COMPENSATION: The interior minister also announced Rs500,000 for each deceased's family. He said both the federal and provincial governments would share this amount.

He directed the district government to make arrangements for the education of the children of all the deceased. A delegation of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, headed by its president Qaisar Saleem, also met the minister and assured him of cooperation in the government's efforts to restore peace.

CONDOLENCE: Later, the minister visited the blast spot at the Zainabia mosque and talked to the members of the Shiite community. He offered condolences and prayed for the departed souls.

BUSINESS: After mourning the tragedy that left 31 people dead for four consecutive days, the local traders resumed their businesses. Meanwhile, the district Nazim said the overall situation here had improved and paramilitary troops returned to their barracks. However, huge contingent of police remained present on all the roads and major areas.

AMJAD FAROOQI: Earlier, the interior minister told the newsmen that the results of Amjad Farooqi's DNA test were positive. He said his body would be handed over to his heirs soon.

PPP PROTEST: The PPP set up a camp at the busy Allama Iqbal Chowk to condemn the Friday's mosque blast. PPP Punjab President Qasim Zia and other leaders attended the camp.