Nisar rules out presence of IS militants in Pakistan

E-Paper | March 04, 2026

KARACHI Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday ruled out the presence of Islamic State (IS) militants in Pakistan.

“No organisation of this name exists in Pakistan,” the interior minister said while speaking to media representatives after addressing the passing-out parade of Rangers in Karachi.

Nisar said several militant organisations were operating in Pakistan as well as on the other side of the border.

The statement comes days after the provincial government of Balochistan conveyed a confidential report to law enforcement agencies warning of increased footprints of IS, also known by the Arabic acronym Daish, in Pakistan.

The ‘secret information report' stated that the IS has claimed to have recruited a massive 10 to 12,000 followers from the Hangu and Kurram Agency tribal areas.

Wall-chalking has also begun to appear in support of IS in some cities of Pakistan, including Karachi and Khanewal.

Take a look: IS recruiting thousands in Pakistan, govt warned in 'secret' report

Nisar lauds Sindh Rangers’ role in Karachi operation

Nisar also lauded the role of Pakistan Rangers Sindh, saying that it had carried out 4,000 raids and arrested 7,500 criminals during the 14-month long targeted operation in Karachi, said a report published on Radio Pakistan.

Addressing the passing-out parade of Rangers basic recruits training course-18 in Karachi, he expressed the hope that the left mission of maintaining complete order in the Karachi will successfully be accomplished by the new leadership of the Pakistan Rangers Sindh.

On the occasion, he lauded the role of former Director General of Pakistan Rangers Sindh General Rizwan Akhtar who led and initiated the operation against criminals in the city.

He also paid rich tributes to the soldiers of Pakistan Rangers and armed forces of the country who have sacrifices their precious lives safeguarding their motherland and combating terrorists.

He expressed the hope that the recruits who passed-out today will play their role in protecting their motherland and countrymen.

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Indian Christian

Nov 11, 2014 10:58am

But the sad fact is that these arrested people will be released soon. They have to be released as per stone age Sharia law.

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Jahangir Khan

Nov 11, 2014 11:22am

Lets see if IK can also appreciate their performance.They have caught suspects of Zohra Shahid Murder...

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Jalbani Baloch

Nov 11, 2014 11:57am

I have never heard, if any government, whether present or the past, has ever downplayed the role of Rangers. All eulogize the role of Rangers, but criticize the police for the deteriorating law and order situation of Karachi. This indicates the duplicity of high-ups, as they feel reluctant to acknowledge the role of Sindh Police, which has given more sacrifices than the Sindh Rangers. For the sake of argument, if the Rangers is playing an effective role, then why the level of crime has not come down in Karachi, and still killing, snatching, kidnapping, theft and other crimes are rampant in Karachi.

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Parvez

Nov 11, 2014 12:52pm

Praise, well deserved.

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ASIF

Nov 11, 2014 01:05pm

@Indian Christian Hey Dude exclude religion from your comments,Everybody knows what Indians have done in the past and still doing with muslims

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khanm

Nov 11, 2014 01:16pm

Mr Nasar numbers they don't lie.... is the graph of crime, mugging, killing, snatching, sectarian violence gone down... if the answer is no...there is no point in carrying any further operations... it has negative effect on the people.. If the plant does not bear the fruits... it is just sucking the resources and nothing else...

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Safwan

Nov 11, 2014 01:19pm

@Indian Christian Dude, stop blabbering. Visit a doctor if necessary.

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Hassan

Nov 11, 2014 01:21pm

Mr. Nisar, prevention is better than cure. Do not spout nonsense when the threat is real. If the TTP and other groups have voiced allegiance to ISIS, then they are already part of it and they are already here.

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irfan

Nov 11, 2014 01:24pm

He is an ignorant person. When Altaf said about the presence of Taliban, the whole interior ministry rubbished it, and now the same thing again.

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white noise

Nov 11, 2014 01:36pm

right... and fairies are real ... and I have a unicorn !!

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Nov 11, 2014 01:40pm

@ASIF The way religion has and is being exploited in Pakistan is a known fact. I do not know what is your source of information about conditions of Muslims in India. They are in all walks of life and those who are educated are triving where as conditions of anyone one in Pakistan is probably known to you, i.e. if you are not on another planet. Unfortunately if your source of information is your text books then Allah may have mercy on you. No muslims in India are outside your embassy in India queuing to go to Pakistan as they know the truth and they want their kith and kin to progress and No one wants to be forced to live in stone age interpretation of Islam

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Indian Christian

Nov 11, 2014 01:42pm

@Safwan reality bites ...

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Indian Christian

Nov 11, 2014 01:44pm

@Safwan We visit doctors when necessary. But don't forget to give Polio to your children and other Pakistanis.

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franklyspeaking

Nov 11, 2014 01:46pm

@ASIF like how christians and hindus are getting killed in Pak...between, come over to India, you will know how muslim, hindus and christains live in harmony...they celebrate all their festivals and have national holidays, secularism for a change

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KRana

Nov 11, 2014 01:51pm

They will ignore as in case of taliban and later will blame India, Israel and USA when situation is out of control

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Ali A.

Nov 11, 2014 02:03pm

What you kidding... Wake up Mr. Nissar?

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Syed Usman Hussain

Nov 11, 2014 02:07pm

Is it another state of ignorant behavior?

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KRana

Nov 11, 2014 02:08pm

@ASIF Indain have Muslim presidents, cricket captain, governor, scientist, Bollywood top actors, officials, Can u name any minority getting nay chance?

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Bingo

Nov 11, 2014 02:12pm

@ASIF : Yeah we also know that more Muslims were killed in Pakistan by Muslims in the last 10 years.

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One Nation

Nov 11, 2014 02:14pm

What is in a name? Can Mr. Nisar deny that the mentality and conditions do not exist as well? All the existing terror outfits need to do is change their name.

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imran ali

Nov 11, 2014 02:20pm

finally he woke up....

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ali ahmed

Nov 11, 2014 02:25pm

shift the capital and assembly to Dubai...or conduct assembly session on twitter ...like Bilawal Zardari

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Shahzad Ahmed

Nov 11, 2014 02:29pm

@KRana we have our share from minorities in every sphere of life. Cricket, Judiciary, Armed Forces, Civil services. We have 5% and you have more than 15%.

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Ali

Nov 11, 2014 02:34pm

@Indian Christian dear, your comments would be perfect if you had chosen proper words, its not the sharia that is a problem, its the fabricated version of sharia that we follow has made us look like clowns to the outside world, having said that, us Pakistanis still has many sane people who love humanity and follow the true message for Islam that in love, compassion and co existence...unfortunately you never get to see that part of pakistan from that far because of notoriety we have gotten for all the wrong u see in media....its a request as a brother, plz dont disrespect any religion, though I do agree we arent good followers...peace.

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Reader

Nov 11, 2014 02:42pm

Nisar including the whole PML(N) govt doesn't have a clue about its own pakistani militancy let alone IS militant. These guys are used to fooling pakistanis & the world because once they are out of govt they will be living in some foreign land with the loot collected during their reign. Has any govt caught killers of BB yet?

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KRana

Nov 11, 2014 02:52pm

@Shahzad Ahmed Ohh dear please tell me any top name, you ll tell only bhagwan das which was also acting chief justice not even full.

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Sohail

Nov 11, 2014 03:06pm

@Indian Christian You seem to be well informed. Under what sharia law do you think these criminals would be freed to be precise? If you don't have an answer then you should keep your mouth shut...

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kashif

Nov 11, 2014 03:07pm

Govt. denial means YES. There will be IS in Pakistan.

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sharabi

Nov 11, 2014 03:08pm

@ASIF How do you know? what do you know, Next time please do not care about Indian Muslims, we are Fine & happy. Just care about your countryman. We Indian Muslims do not belong from your Ummah Philosophy.

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Jalbani Baloch

Nov 11, 2014 03:12pm

It is an undeniable fact that majority of Pakistanis is moderate and liberal and there is no place for terrorists and murderers like IS to get a ground in the soil of Pakistan. However, there is no doubt, that anti-state elements like Taliban, Jundullah and other outfit and banned organizations, might work under the guise of IS. In such a situation, the people of Pakistan in general and the intelligence agencies in particular, will have to keep an eye in their in and around on the local terrorists to foil the expanding designs of IS. If IS is a sincere in its struggle, first they should go Israel to liberate QIBL-E-AWAL and Palestine and then it should think for revival of Khilafat. Up to now, this terrorist organization has killed thousands of humans including Muslims (Sunnis, Shias) and Christians in Iraq and Syria.

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Sreenath

Nov 11, 2014 03:13pm

Well Mr Nisar you need not accept it in public, but for the sake of the world peace and tranquility be a bit serious on this matter and do not let IS militants get hold in South Asia via Pakistan.

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turtlehead

Nov 11, 2014 03:14pm

yeah right ! and just today ISIS posters were found in the streets of Lahore....

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syed ahmed

Nov 11, 2014 03:21pm

Really Mr Nisar !!

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Sarwat

Nov 11, 2014 03:27pm

Here we go again Sleep and procrastinate. When the problem is above your head then react. PMLN team is filled with clowns. They don't want to do anything until they get kick on their rear end.

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FZR

Nov 11, 2014 03:31pm

Please acknowledge the truth before we have a bigger problem than current chaos in Pakistan. Shutting ones eyes will not wish away the looming threat.

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Ameed

Nov 11, 2014 03:31pm

Mr. Bean either you are trying to be funny or simply playing a fool. Did you by any chance see the report from Baloachistan province concerning IS? Nope? This makes me wonder if we will get any responsible interior minister who actually knows what to say and when?

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Safwan

Nov 11, 2014 03:34pm

@Indian Christian Truth? Lol, look, if you stop commenting on matters of which you have little or no knowledge you will actually do yourself a favor. By commenting and exposing your abysmal ignorance you are just insulting yourself on a public forum. There is a thing called Wikipedia, you might want to visit it once in a while. (PS FYI just a small example, the Sharia is a set of principles if any law respects those principles it is Shariah, so if law prohibits unjust discrimination between people belonging to different religions then it is Shariah, be it in the Indian, Spanish or US constitution).

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ehtisham

Nov 11, 2014 03:36pm

Everyone knows pamphlets have been distributed in KPK and militants actually joined war in Syria. These fools try to make public fool. Utterly incompetent govt

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1947 ka Pakistani

Nov 11, 2014 03:37pm

@Ali Brother... Perfect!

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Ali Abbas

Nov 11, 2014 03:45pm

No Taliban exist in Pakistan, No LeJ exist, No ASWJ exist, No Haqqani network exists in Pakistan. Osama Bin Laden did not exist either.

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Indian Christian

Nov 11, 2014 03:46pm

@Ali I don't intent to disrespect any religion. The fact I noted was that Sharia law is contradictory to modern democratic laws and do not give equality to people of other religion. I of course agree there are good muslims like you, but there is no need to hide the bad ones. Thank You !

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Njaved

Nov 11, 2014 03:56pm

Mr. Minister, please tell me that Osama was also not present in Pakistan!

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in your face

Nov 11, 2014 04:01pm

Could it be that he is using too much of the product that he is trying to control?

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in your face

Nov 11, 2014 04:05pm

@indian christian. You nailed the problem. Antiquated and obsolete laws meant for another time are wreaking havoc in the modern times. People brainwashed at an early age are in denial.

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Vicky

Nov 11, 2014 04:23pm

@KRana its not your issue, mind your own business, india is again involved in this. you are the root cause of all the problems.

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Rohan

Nov 11, 2014 04:26pm

Denial denial denial.... it will get you nowhere sir. Osama never existed in Pakistan till USA killed him.

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Shahzad Ahmed

Nov 11, 2014 04:37pm

There is Hinduvta and here in Pakistan it is muslim nationalism..problem with Indians is that they have a sizeable minority muslim population which cannot be thrown out and they know they have to live with them...hence secularism had to be promoted and became a popular mantra but deep down they are hard core hindu nationalist...we find glimpses of this everywhere in India...on the other hand Pakistan does not have such a big minority therefore we do not need to be secular in approach as 95% are muslims.

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Whiskey Khan

Nov 11, 2014 04:37pm

Since the politician of Pakistan lack creditably it is hardly comforting to hear that there is no presence of IS. Pakistan may become the a Prize Trophy for IS as it has Resources far beyond their capacity. Pakistan with its Nuclear capability becomes a natural Target. IS should not be taken lightly by these politician.

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Einstein Babar

Nov 11, 2014 04:38pm

@Indian Christian Don't be so arrogant, it is time which never remains same for anyone. from 70s to 80s India was biggest threat of polio for whole world, we are eradicating polio and we will, even at the cost of our lives, no fear of terrorists. We made Pakistan for first time and we can make it again

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Asif

Nov 11, 2014 04:57pm

@SK You forgot to mention what happen with muslims in Gujrat

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Mitul CH. Dass

Nov 11, 2014 05:03pm

@Einstein give up polio. Try your best to save your sovereignty. I m confused about your sovereignty. If you have sovereignty how USA can test their drone whether it work or not inside your country?

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SKD

Nov 11, 2014 05:04pm

Nissar's denial of presence of IS terrorists is actually indication of their presence.

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Asif

Nov 11, 2014 05:08pm

@sharabi Dude history tell us the nature of hindus and what they did

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Einstein Babar

Nov 11, 2014 05:11pm

@Indian Christian read them again, this time with open eyes and mind

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lols

Nov 11, 2014 05:14pm

@ASIF why always claims muslims are victims everywhere. we all know whats the situation of nonmuslims in muslim countries.

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Nazir Ahmed

Nov 11, 2014 05:27pm

He does not believe in logic.

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salim

Nov 11, 2014 05:33pm

@Shahzad Ahmed best written peace uptil now. 100% correct.

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SAROJ

Nov 11, 2014 05:36pm

@ASIF Muslim lives much better in India than pakistan :-) and much more prosperous in India and they have more freedom in any other part of the world. Think about the minorities in Pakistan which is limited to 3% from 30%... Sharia law is of course a stone age law which should be banned in a moderate society ... Will not even mention the rights of Women.

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SAROJ

Nov 11, 2014 05:38pm

@Sk Their source must be Jihadi literature which is spread against non Muslims and used to brain wash Muslims .... Don't believe what Hafiz saeed say.. Read some international news and use Google .. you will get better knowledge

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Syed Hussain Akbari

Nov 11, 2014 05:57pm

@ASIF Just be a little reserved Sahib. I was born in India. I am very regular visitor of India. I know how is the situation of Muslims in that country. It is in no case that rosy as you want the world to believe.

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Aly khan

Nov 11, 2014 05:58pm

He has now finally woken up

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Khan-Haqiqi

Nov 11, 2014 06:01pm

Live in denial mode even you and your party denied Punjabi Taliban

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Nov 11, 2014 06:31pm

@Ali Wish Pakistan had more people like u

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Nov 11, 2014 06:31pm

What a serious joke?

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Jadugar

Nov 11, 2014 06:52pm

Nisar and the rest of the politicians will keep denying it till there is battle on the street of Pakistan against these IS militant and then they will deny some more Ultimately It will be the people of Pakistan who will pay with their blood for their lies

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A Ali

Nov 11, 2014 06:53pm

whats in the name...... whether or not people from Pakistan are joining or not IS, right under your nose.

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Naseer

Nov 11, 2014 07:11pm

Government is only trying to fool the people to divert their attention. Same thing was first said about Taliban in Karachi, now government is doing the same thing to cover their incompetence. With these politicians, our country is doomed.

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Hornet

Nov 11, 2014 07:33pm

@Indian Christian I fully agree with you

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dv1936

Nov 11, 2014 08:42pm

and he expects to be trusted, great.

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Naseer

Nov 11, 2014 08:45pm

Denial, denial and denial. Where are the escapees of Banu Jail? Of course ISIS has not applied to register as a new organization in Pakistan because they are already doing business

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Neeraj

Nov 11, 2014 08:59pm

@Indian Christian come on men, post good comments sometime. Blanket negative statements shows bigotry(yours).

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Pakhtun

Nov 11, 2014 09:07pm

@Ali Great response. Intelligent, fair and well-balanced.

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Indian Christian

Nov 11, 2014 09:21pm

@Hornet Thank You !

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ghaz

Nov 11, 2014 09:36pm

Let's keep ignoring the elephant in the room until it's ready to get out of control. Good job, we don't need enemies when we have leaders like this

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Joker

Nov 11, 2014 09:37pm

I totally agree with the minister. Pakistan also does not have any corrupt politicians or religious extremists or any other terror groups. It is all a conspiracy to defame Pakistan. WHEN ARE THESE POLITICIANS GOING TO LEARN?

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Asad Hyder

Nov 11, 2014 09:43pm

Every body knows not to believe in Chaudhry Nisar's utterances.

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Mumtaz Hussain Shah

Nov 11, 2014 09:45pm

@imran ali . He will never wake up. Most unfortunate for the Nation whose leaders put their head in sand and feel secure.

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ladies and gentlemen

Nov 11, 2014 09:50pm

Here he goes hiding his head under the sand again.

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islamabadian

Nov 11, 2014 09:52pm

IS ... Pakistani Forces and Pakistani Nation is one against any organization which will try to hurt pakistan. pakistan zinda bad Pak Forces painda bad

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sunny

Nov 11, 2014 10:00pm

Pakistan should take serious action against IS.

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Haider Rehman

Nov 11, 2014 10:02pm

He must be dreaming...

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Haider Rehman

Nov 11, 2014 10:04pm

Shows mentality of Pmln...

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Vikas

Nov 11, 2014 10:59pm

What is in a name?

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Aditya

Nov 11, 2014 11:27pm

It will soon.. Like iron towards a magnet

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in your face

Nov 12, 2014 04:03am

Dear Sir Nisar, please read your history again regarding khilafat movement of 1919-1924. ISIS may only be on the walls for now but the support for the cause in the hearts of many goes back a 100 years. In the absence of hope and progress, people cling to whatever that elevates their ego.

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A shah

Nov 12, 2014 06:04am

Yes we should bury our heads in the sand and deny everything.

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Mumtaz Hussain Shah

Nov 12, 2014 07:06am

The utterances of Interior Minister reminds me the famous maxim, "Nero fiddled while Rome burned." True! We nead no enemy if we have "visioneries" like Chudhery Sb controlling our destiny.

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krishna

Nov 12, 2014 08:07am

One day - a poor guy decided to act like a rich guy in the public - assuming that one day he would join rich man's club. He always professed that he is not a poor guy in the public ( when in reality - I walk with only one underwear every where and eat a roti once a day) - assuming that no one can catch him. Alas! - every other citizen knows him that he is poor and doesn't have enough to eat for himself and pitied him. Here, Nisar is acting bold as if Pakistan has no IS presence when in fact the signs and declarations are loud and clear from the tribal corners of the country. Instead of taking cognizance of the problem on hand, ducking the head into the sand and feeling good does no good - in fact would immensely harm the country population. Better take a preventive step rather than lament and blame on others for self-inflicted ills.

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Muhammad Natiq

Nov 12, 2014 09:42am

@Indian Christian why do u indians always blabber and why dont you people focus on ur own country, well! there is always space of improvement so u should or u ppl should spend time for ur own improvement and stop poking in our matters. U ppl really have alot of waste time

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