April 06, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 28, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 5: Militant organisations have included the names of five pro-Musharraf parliamentarians in a hit list, the interior secretary told a Senate body during a briefing on law and order on Saturday.

Those on the hit list are: two Senators --- Mohammad Ali Durrani and Tariq Azim --- and three members of the National Assembly --- Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, Sumaira Malik and Engineer Ameer Muqam.

The chairman of the Senate’s standing committee on interior, Talha Mahmood, quoted Interior Secretary Kamal Shah as saying the government had put in place safety measures for the five legislators.

He said that Mr Sherpao had been provided a bullet-proof car, recalling that suicide bombers had tried to kill the former interior minister twice.

The committee directed the interior ministry to ensure foolproof security for the elected representatives.

It called for changing the mindset of police personnel so that they showed more civility to the public.

Senator Talha Mahmood said as lawlessness directly affected foreign investment, it was vital to provide adequate security to the investors.

He called upon the finance ministry to ensure speedy release of funds meant for the interior ministry.

The Senate committee decided to summon officials of the finance ministry to the next meeting for a review of the issue.

The meeting expressed dissatisfaction over the law and order situation in different cities, including the federal capital.

It called for removal of barricades from streets in Islamabad as they were creating problems for the people. Instead, it added, police patrol and intelligence system should be improved.

The Senate body observed that opening of foreign diplomatic missions and United Nations offices in residential areas were also creating problems.

It suggested the moving of all such missions to the diplomatic enclave.