ISLAMABAD, March 31: Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed on Saturday that police had thwarted a plot to attack the Parliament House during the president’s address to a joint session of the National Assembly and Senate and arrested the main handler of the conspiracy.

Chairing a meeting held to review the law and order situation in the capital, the minister praised Islamabad police for averting the attack.

Talking to reporters later, Mr Malik did not give details about the arrest. However, it was disclosed that the alleged handler was an official of the finance ministry.

On the other hand, police expressed ignorance about the arrest.

The minister instructed Islamabad police chief Bani Amin Khan to take more measures to ensure safety of the citizens in view of continuing threats from terrorists.

He also took notice of incidents of car theft in the federal capital and asked the inspector general of police to take steps to curb the crime.

The IG said two gangs had been apprehended and car thefts had been considerably reduced.

At least 93 vehicles were stolen in the city during the first two months of this year.

The minister said all station house officers in Islamabad should be replaced in two phases. An SHO should immediately be removed from the post in case of an incident of car lifting, murder or robbery in his area, he said.

Mr Malik said an anti-corruption wing should be set up in Islamabad police by next week.

A project for centralisation of data of all vehicles has been finalised with the help of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and work on it will be launched soon in consultation with the provinces and other stakeholders. All vehicles in Islamabad will be registered with third-party insurance.

The city administration will issue fitness certificates periodically for each vehicle and the project will be implemented from May 1.