PESHAWAR, Feb 25: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has said that the opposition’s refusal to join the parliamentary delegation for an upcoming visit to Brussels to register protest against publication of blasphemous cartons has exposed its ulterior motives.

The minister said the government wanted the opposition’s participation to raise collective voice against the publication of blasphemous sketches.

He alleged that the opposition parties wanted to take political mileage out of the situation.

He said the government had condemned the incident in strong words besides taking steps to raise the issue at the Organisation of Islamic Conference.

The upcoming visit to Brussels was part of various steps that the government is taking in this regard, he said.

Talking about the incident in Bara, Khyber Agency, which cost five lives, Mr Sherpao said efforts were under way to resolve the issue at the earliest. He said the writ of the government in the area would be ensured at all costs.

He said he was in contact with the NWFP governor and leading tribal elders of Khyber Agency in this connection and the earlier decision reached between the rival groups would be implemented to calm down the situation.

The minister said he would visit Doha for a conference on Feb 27, where representatives from 26 countries would participate in discussion on drugs eradication, terrorism and capacity building of police forces.

Talking to a delegation of Ghani Chatra union council of Swabi district, which apprised him of local problems, the minister said he would shortly visit the area.

He said the government was doing its utmost to redress the problems of the people living in remote areas.—APP