September 12, 2007	Wednesday	Sha'aban 29, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Sept 11: The government on Tuesday justified the sealing and blocking of the Islamabad airport and major roads on the occasion of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s arrival in the country and said measures had been taken to maintain law and order in the capital.

“Except for a few minor incidents, the overall situation remained peaceful,” Interior Ministry spokesman Brig Javed Iqbal Cheema told Dawn.

He said the government had information that clashes between police and PML-N supporters could take place if they were not stopped from proceeding to the airport. “In case of possible pitched battle, loss of life of innocent people and their property could have taken place.”

Earlier in a weekly press briefing, the spokesman said it was a matter of satisfaction that the measures taken by security agencies to maintain law and order in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Monday remained successful. He said life in the twin cities was normal and police efficiently dealt with some political groups violating the section 144 restrictions.

The spokesman said the security around the airport had been relaxed after a few hours and normal activities restored.

About All Pakistan Democratic Movement’s strike call, he said: “The government has never tried to curb the freedom of expression and peaceful protests. However, it is the prime responsibility of the government to maintain law and order and protect life and property of its citizens.”

Mr Cheema said: “The general public has not responded to the protest calls and there has been no significant demonstration anywhere in the country.”

Network Unearthed: The government on Tuesday claimed to have unearthed a network allegedly involved in the recent two suicide attacks in Rawalpindi in which 30 people died.

“The network has links with militant movement in tribal areas of the country,” Interior Ministry spokesman Brig Javed Iqbal Cheema told reporters.

The investigators, he said, were still probing the attacks.