LAHORE, March 20: Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat hoped the ongoing military operation against alleged Al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants and their local protectors in Wana (South Waziristan) would be over in the next 48 hours.
Talking to reporters after a seminar on Road Safety organized by the Civil Defence Training School on Saturday, he said the government would never allow use of Pakistan's soil for any kind of terrorism. "Terrorists are not friends of Pakistan and we will continue this war until all terrorists depart from our country."
Responding to a query, he said some terrorists captured by the authorities in Wana belonged to the Middle East.
About the killing of a paramilitary official in Karachi, he said some elements did not want stability in the country.
Regarding the arrest of those accused of causing the Quetta carnage, Mr Hayat said they had been apprehended but their names and other details would not yet be leaked out.
To a question, the minister said President Musharraf should remain in uniform for political stability in the country, and it was for him (Musharraf) to decide when to shed his uniform.
Appreciating spectators' sportsman spirit during Pakistan-India cricket matches in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Peshawar, he said they deserved appreciation for not creating any disturbance. The cricket series would help build confidence between the two neighbours, he added.
Mr Hayat said the government would provide unprecedented security to Indian players during the Saarc Games 2004 to be held in Islamabad this month.
He said he did have knowledge of Indian prime minister's reported intention to visit Pakistan for watching a cricket match in Lahore.
APP ADDS: Addressing the eighth passing-out parade of civil defence volunteers, the interior minister called upon them to play a pro-active role in safeguarding life of the common man.
"We shall provide all possible facilities and incentives to the Civil Defence Organization. We would give it the latest equipment to fight terrorism," Mr Hayat said.
Mr Hayat regretted that civil defence had remained the most ignored sector in the past. He said the present government had decided to improve the working of this vital security organ on a priority basis.
The minister also lauded active participation of women in civil defence activities and directed the civil defence director-general to send him a proposal based on requirements of the department, which he promised would be fulfilled. Director General (Civil Defence) Air Marshal Sarfaraz Toor said in his welcome address that around 110,000 women were acquiring professional skills in academies all over the country.
Later, the chief guest distributed prizes and shields among the participants. A gold medal was awarded to young civil defence worker Saqlain who had thwarted a bomb explosion at an Imambargah in Rawalpindi during Ashura this year.
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