KARACHI: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has ruled out the presence of the Islamic State (IS) in the country but said some local militant groups may have been attracted to the global militant organisation.

Referring to recent wall-chalking in support of the IS in different areas of the city, he said it could have been done by local armed groups to use the organisation’s name for their activities, which did not establish IS presence in the country.

“The IS does not exist in Pakistan,” he said while talking to reporters after attending the passing out parade of recruits at the Rangers Training Centre and School at the Super Highway Toll Plaza on Tuesday. “But small militant groups may have joined the IS or been attracted to it. I think the issue should not be sensationalised.”

In reply to a question about the investigation into the Wagah border attack which had killed more than 60 people and left scores injured, he “foreign hand” was involved in the assault but it could not have been carried out without internal support.

“Several local people involved in the terrorist attack on the naval dockyard in Karachi, including serving and retired officials of the navy, have been identified. Information obtained during the ongoing investigation into the attack has helped in identifying and tracing people who planned and executed the attack,” he said.

The September attack on the navy’s assets still remains a mystery as details shared by the authorities have failed to answer questions about the raid.

“The Dockyard attack is being investigated by the navy itself. For Wagah assault, we have formed a joint investigation team which is likely to submit a report in a few days. Only then we can share facts with people,” Chaudhry Nisar said.

About law and order situation in Karachi, he said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was expected in the city soon to preside over a high-level meeting which would also review results of the “targeted operation” in the city.

“I am not saying that the conditions prevailing in Karachi are ideal. But you must acknowledge efforts being made to improve the situation,” he said when asked about his views. “The law-enforcement agencies, including Rangers and police, are doing their best.”

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2014