12 January 2005	Wednesday	01 Zilhaj 1425

ISLAMABAD, Jan 11: Pakistan Muslim League Additional Joint Secretary Senator Nisar Ahmed Memon on Monday condemned the assassination bid on the life of a prayer leader and the loss of precious lives in Gilgit violence.

Talking to Dawn, Senator Memon said anti-state elements were bent upon destabilising the country and targeting the "soft valley" of the Northern Areas to hinder the economic and political reforms introduced by the government there.

He termed the Saturday's bid on Agha Ziauddin Rizvi's life a conspiracy to harm the peace and harmony in Northern Areas, the gateway to Central Asia and China. He said terrorist incidents in tribal areas, Northern Areas, and Balochistan were a part of the "international terrorism".

He said the government was committed to the development of the Northern Areas and such activities can't deter "us from pursuing our mission," the senator said. In response to a question, he said Gilgit incident had nothing to do with the curriculum issue. It's terrorism".

Mr Memon said he had asked the deputy chief executive, speaker of the NALC and elected representatives to go back to their constituencies and work for peace and harmony.

PML-N: PML-N Information Secretary Siddiqueul Farooque has expressed concern over the continuing armed conflict in Sui and the recent sectarian disturbance in Gilgit.

According to a press release issued by the party here on Tuesday, Mr Farooq said the two incidents not only highlighted the increasing lawlessness in the country, but also showed the incompetence and unwise policies of the government.

He expressed the hope that the sectarian harmony in the area would be restored soon. He said the recent armed conflict in Sui could also be related to the gang rape of a lady doctor last week, because personnel of security forces were identified as culprits, and the police had been actively trying to protect them.