The Pakistan Government has informed the Senate that the recent surge in suicide bombings and terrorist attacks is linked to the army action against the Lal Masjid and the Jamia Hafsa.
Islamabad, Aug 17 : The Pakistan Government has informed the Senate that the recent surge in suicide bombings and terrorist attacks is linked to the army action against the Lal Masjid and the Jamia Hafsa.
Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao denied that the operation had been launched under pressure from the US.
He defended the operation, and said that the government had exercised maximum restraint and was left with no choice except to use force against Lal Masjid clerics who had abducted people, set on fire a government building and illegally occupied children's library.
Minister of State for Information Senator Tariq Azeem Khan, however, said that the government and representatives of Wafaqul Madaris were close to signing an agreement on the Lal Majid issue.
Meanwhile, Azam Khan Swati of the MMA held Musharraf responsible for the bloodshed during the Lal Masjid operation and spread of extremism in the country.
Senator Abdur Rahim Mandokhel said that the government had failed reduce the threat of extremism and Talibanisation in tribal areas despite huge deployment of troops.
He said that dictatorship was the major cause of terrorism and the only remedy was restoration of democracy, the Dawn reported.
ANI