‘Uniform decision won’t affect anti-terror war’
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—The Interior Ministry Spokesman Brig. Retd. Javed Iqbal Cheema Tuesday said there would be no change in the policy of war on terror after President doff his uniform, as terrorism is very serious threat to our internal security and the efforts will continue to rid the country of terrorism.
Addressing the weekly news briefing here, he said the government has released all the detainees except thirty-seven detained after imposition of emergency in the country.
He said the government has released five thousand seven hundred and forty eight detainees. Out of the remaining thirty-seven, five are detained under Maintenance of Public Order and thirty-two were booked under various charges for violence and violation of law of the land. He said they have to face the courts.
He said it is recommended in the security code of conduct that only gatherings may be allowed at specified places. All provincial governments and district administration should notify such places. Organizers must get NOC from respective provincial governments so that security arrangements may be tied up to avoid any untoward incident.
He said out of forty-five suicide bomb incidents, twenty-six have been worked out indicating a success of sixty percent. Remaining nineteen are under investigation and would be completed as soon as possible. To a question, he said that the name of former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has not put on Exit Control List. To yet another question, he said, the judges of the Supreme Court are free to go to their homes. He said if they want so, the government would facilitate them.
He said the vacation of their houses is the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and only Apex Court would decide when these houses would be vacated. Replying to a question, the spokesman expressed the hope that the situation in Swat would return to normal before the elections. He said the operation to neutralize hardcore militants in Swat valley is progressing very well and has secured areas of Kanju, Kuza Bande, Bara Bande and Mam Dheri.
He said security forces are consolidating their positions and people of the area are whole-heartedly cooperating with the government in its efforts to eliminate terrorists from the Swat Valley. He said since the start of the operation over two hundred militants have been killed in forces operations. He said top militant leader Khan Khatab was killed by the local people on Monday. He said relief camp has been established by Pakistan Army at Risalpur to look after the displaced persons. Pakistan army is providing all kinds of relief goods to them.
He said Kurram Agency has fast returning to normal. It has been possible through the efforts of the security forces, local administration and tribal elders of the area.
The Interior Ministry Spokesman Brig. (Retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema has said that the government has released all the detainees arrested after emergency imposition except 37.
Briefing the media persons here on Tuesday he said that the government has released 5748 detainees. Out of the remaining 37, he said five are detained under Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and 32 were booked under various charges for violence and violation of law of the land. He said they have to face the courts.
Government is trying its best to provide conducive and enabling environment for conduct of free, fair and transparent elections ensuring even playing field for all political parties, he said. Cheema informed that it is heartening to note that a very large number of contestants including leadership of almost all political parties have filed their nomination papers for the up-coming general elections. He hoped that all political parties would now whole heartedly participate in the electoral process which would ensure smooth transition to full democracy. The spokesman reiterated that the government does not in any manner want to impede political activities but has to take all necessary measures to minimize the threat posed by extremist forces.