ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Tuesday commended the security forces for maintaining peace during Ashura processions, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he said he was thankful to everyone, including the Taliban, for their cooperation in ensuring peaceful Ashura processions throughout the country during the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

Moreover, the interior minister added that a blast in the densely-populated Lines Area of Karachi the previous night, earlier said to be caused by a gas cylinder, was infact caused by explosives. But immediate action by police and security forces ensured no casualties in the incident.

Answering a question, he said that former ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani's name had already been put on the Exit Control List (ECL) as per the orders from Supreme Court.