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ISLAMABAD, Oct 9: The government will withdraw red notices issued through Interpol against former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and her spouse Asif Ali Zardari.a
“This will be done in the light of government’s reconciliation policy,” Ministry of Interior spokesman Brig (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema said on Tuesday.
“Whatever the government requires to fulfil the norms of reconciliation will be done,” he told journalists in a weekly briefing on the law and order situation.
He told Dawn after the briefing that the red notices against the PPP leaders would be withdrawn soon and a request had been made to Interpol in this regard.
It is pertinent to mention here that Interpol had recently asked the government of Pakistan to update it on the status of Ms Bhutto whether she still was a ‘wanted person’ by the government.
According to the rules and the procedure of Interpol, red notices are issued against a person on a request of his/her country’s government and the same procedure is adopted while withdrawing the notices.
There is a general perception that the National Reconciliation Ordinance has been promulgated mainly to provide relief to Ms Bhutto under a ‘deal’ with President Gen Pervez Musharraf. The ordinance gives immunity to politicians and bureaucrats facing corruption cases from 1986 to 1999.
Asked about Ms Bhutto’s demand for security and provision of bullet-proof cars, the interior ministry spokesman said the government would provide all possible security to the former premier on her return to the country. “She will be given proper security.”
SAMJHOTA EXPRESS: Mr Cheema said Pakistan would raise the issue of the Samjhota Express inquiry report at the second meeting of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism between Pakistan and India, to be held on Oct 22 in New Delhi.
Answering a question about a Foreign Office statement that India was involved in terrorist activities inside Pakistan, he said: “Yes, we have some reservations and we will discuss them at the meeting.”
He said the Anti-Terrorism Mechanism would provide an opportunity to exchange views on how to help investigations on either side into terrorist acts and to increase cooperation in curbing violence and terrorism.
TRIBAL AREAS: Mr Cheema said the situation in tribal areas was a cause of concern for the government.
Besides action by security forces against militants, he said, the government had engaged tribal elders to curb activities of militants.
About the presidential election, he expressed satisfaction over what he called peaceful holding of the polls. The satisfactory conclusion of the election would augur well for peaceful holding of general elections, he said.
APP adds: Mr Cheema said the government would construct the Jamia Hafsa under orders of the Supreme Court, but it would not have boarding and lodging facilities.
“We respect the court’s decision and the Jamia Hafsa will be constructed on an area of 205 square yards as soon as possible,” he said.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s decision about the Lal Masjid, he said: “We will submit a review petition in the court about certain reservations.”
He said the appointment of Maulana Abdul Ghaffar as khateeb of the mosque was temporary and the department of Auqaf would make a final selection.
