PESHAWAR, Jan 29: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani said here on Monday that the government had taken “extraordinary steps” to check the mounting wave of terrorist attacks in order to ensure the protection of people.

“The government has adopted unprecedented security measures to maintain law and order in the country,” the minister told journalists at the Peshawar Press Club.

He said a National Assembly session had been convened on Feb 6 during which the opposition would be taken into confidence on the issue of law and order.

He did not rule out the involvement of foreign elements in the recent suicide attacks carried out in Peshawar and Islamabad. “Certainly, the government cannot ignore the involvement of foreign elements in the recent terrorist acts, but it is too early to say anything without having any proof,” he said.

The minister said the police officers killed in the attacks laid down their lives to protect the people. He underscored the need for collective efforts to eliminate terrorism and extremism.Expressing concerns over the kidnapping of Suhail Qalandar, the resident editor of a major newspaper, the minister said he had discussed the issue with Governor Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai and Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani and had urged them to ensure the safe recovery of the journalist.

He said the administration in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and the government of NWFP should work out a joint a strategy to check kidnappings. Assistance had been offered to the provincial government on behalf of the federal government for the immediate recovery of the journalist, he added.