Malik sees foreign hand in tribal areas unrest

LAHORE-Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik has said that military operation in tribal areas has been launched as a last option, as the militants did not surrender arms after negotiations with the government.

Addressing a joint news conference along with Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmed at Mansoora on Sunday, he said government offered talks to militants, but they did not budge an inch from their stance.

Malik hinted at involvement of foreign hand in creation of unrest in the tribal belt, and said he would share some information in this regard with the nation in the coming days.

Earlier, Malik called on Qazi Hussein Ahmed and briefed him about the military operation in tribal areas and the government decision to halt operation during Ramadan. The meeting lasted around two hours.

He stressed the need for joint efforts to end extremism and terrorism from the country.