October 31, 2007	Wednesday	Shawwal 18, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Oct 30: The situation in Swat is relatively calm, according to Interior Ministry Spokesman Brig (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema.

He was addressing a press briefing here on Tuesday.

He said that extremists sought a unilateral ceasefire after which personnel of the law-enforcement agencies refrained from firing, allowing militants to pick their colleagues’ bodies. “We also want to monitor their conduct and see how they will behave.”

Security forces, comprising personnel of the Frontier Corps, Frontier Constabulary and police, are still deployed in the area, he says. He said troops had been sent to Swat on the request of the NWFP government. “The move is aimed to maintain law and order in Swat.” Brig (retd) Cheema said eight security personnel were killed since action started in Swat while 50 militants had either been killed or injured.

Denying the occurrence of the kidnapping of the security personnel, he said four missing security officials had joined back their units. He said there were reports that a foreign country had provided weapons to militants in Balochistan and in Fata.

Answering a question, the spokesman said unless the investigators reached definite conclusions, the government would refrain from singling out any foreign country. However, he regretted that India was blaming Pakistan for certain acts of terrorism.

“This blame game would not take us anywhere,” he said.

He said while it was very difficult to stop suicide attacks, many such bombings had been thwarted by law-enforcement agencies’ pro-active approach.

Reiterating that a viable security plan had been drawn up for political activities ahead of general elections, the interior ministry spokesman said the draft of the plan was being sent to all political parties and other quarters concerned. He said that the plan would be put into action after incorporating the suggestions of political parties.

He said the plan sought to discourage political parties to hold processions. Political gatherings could be allowed and provincial governments should point out specific places for such gatherings.

When asked to give an outline of the secuirty measures for Benazir’s visit to Islamabad and Rawalpindi next month, he said the federal and provincial governments were fully aware of the threats posed by extremist forces.