ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik on Monday said the abductors have kept Shahbaz Taseer near adjoining areas of Pakistan-Afghanistan border and he is alive.
“As per intelligence information, the kidnappers have kept the son of late Governor Salman Taseer in Pak-Afghan border areas, but I want to tell the terrorist that their coward action cannot weaken the government's commitment against extremism and terrorism,” he said.
Shahbaz Taseer was kidnapped from Lahore few months ago when he was proceeding to his office.
The Minister was talking to mediamen at a ceremony organized here by workers of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) at its Headquarters.
Replying to a question, Rehman Malik said VIPs in the government were facing threats from the banned outfit, Tehrik-e- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and al Qaeda.
There was an information about two weeks back that both the banned organizations had also planned to abduct Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
“All necessary steps are being adopted to foil their nefarious designs,” he added.
The minister appreciated Islamabad Police, which under the leadership of Inspector General, Bani Amin have averted many terrorist threats in Capital.
Answering another query, the Minister clarified that he has nothing to do with Black Water, a US based private security agency.
Earlier, addressing a ceremony, he read out a notification that services of all contract employees of NADRA in different categories have been regularized.
He also announced a housing scheme for more than 14,000 employees of the organization under which 50 per cent finances would be provided by NADRA as advance while the remaining would be arranged through banks.
The advance amount would be deducted from the employee’s salaries.
The Minister highlighted manifesto of PPP which is to ensure employment for unemployed people.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani faced jails to fight for the rights of people.
“Provision of employment is our priority and PPP government will continue its policy to facilitate people,” he added.
He also appreciated performance of NADRA and said this organization had achieved a lot since its inception.
Chairman NADRA, Ali Arshad also spoke on the occasion.