Published April 4, 2005
ISLAMABAD, April 3: The government would not register cases under Anti-Terrorism Act (ATC) against those who had violated the law during April 2 strike, interior minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao told Dawn on Sunday.

?Although I had announced that those who would take law in their hands would be dealt strictly and booked under the ATA, the government has no intention to do so,? the minister said.

He said the announcement worked as deterrence and overall law and order situation in the country remained satisfactory.

The minister said the centre had directed all provinces to send reports on law and order situation during the strike.

?We do not want to register cases under anti-terrorism act, but if there is a severe violation of law, like burning and ransacking shops and government property, we can think to apply this Act in such cases,? he said.

The MMA strike reportedly remained partial. The interior minister said no untoward incident was reported from any part of the country during the strike.

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