ISLAMABAD, Feb 21: Law enforcement agencies have mounted a search to pick up wanted alleged terrorists whose list had been given to the government by Afghan President Hamid Karzai during his visit here last week, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said on Tuesday.

“Yes, we have received a list of about 150 terrorists who are believed to be hiding in Pakistan,” he told Dawn after attending a regional conference on human trafficking organised by the International Organisation for Migration.

Mr Sherpao said handing over a list was a routine matter because Pakistan and Afghanistan often exchanged lists of alleged terrorists believed to be hiding in either country, but added: “We have started our work in the light of the fresh list.”

Asked if the list contained names of any prominent figure or any Al Qaeda leader who might be hiding in Pakistan, Mr Sherpao avoided replying to the question.

Mr Karzai had reportedly told a news conference on his return to Kabul that he had given the Pakistani government a list and addresses of alleged Afghan terrorists living in Pakistan.