SAARC meeting next week in Capital
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is holding second meeting of focal persons on counter terrorism next week in the Federal Capital.“Alongside back to back meeting of Police Chiefs of SAARC member states will start from March 25 to 27,” Interior Ministry spokesman Brig ® Javed Iqbal Cheema told weekly media briefing.
The meeting on counter terrorism will focus on finding ways and means to enhance cooperation in the field of counter terrorism, he said. He said greater international cooperation, especially among the countries of the region is imperative in the fight against the global evil of terrorism.
Referring to recent blast at a restaurant in Islamabad, he said the blast caused death of a Turkish woman and injuries to a number of foreigners including members of US embassy.
To a question he said the injured were not the members of US intelligence agency (FBI) adding there are no FBI agents in Pakistan. Cheema said Pakistan sympathise profoundly with all those injured in the despicable act which apparently was part of the subversive elements’ designs to undermine national security and stability.
He said special teams are conducting thorough investigation into the incident and making progress to track down the perpetrators. Cheema said the explosive devise was thrown in the hotel and it was not a planted devise.
About law and order situation in Swat he said, the terrorists have been targeting security personnel. The latest suicide bombing at police line in Swat killed two policemen and caused injuries to several others.
Cheema reiterated government’s firm resolve in the fight against terrorism adding the law enforcement machinery cannot be deterred and remains alert and vigilant across the country to defeat the designs of terrorists.
He said security apparatus is fully geared up to ensure foolproof security for the forthcoming meetings of the National Assembly.