Malik gives 30-day time to illegal immigrants

KARACHI Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has given 30-day ultimatum to illegal immigrants to leave the country. He asked the illegal immigrants either to leave the country or register themselves with departments concerned. He said the government plans to launch a crackdown against all the illegal immigrants residing in Karachi. According to him, over two million illegal immigrants are living here. Briefing media after presiding over a meeting held to discuss law and order situation in Karachi at Rangers Headquarters, Malik said the investigation report about the Ashura carnage had been finalised. He dispelled the impression that any political party was involved in the incident. It is worth mentioning that the said news briefing was earlier planned as a joint Press conference with MQM Rabita Committee Deputy Convenor Dr Farooq Sattar, but the MQM boycotted it in the context to some differences on the briefings agenda. Malik hinted that banned religious outfits Jaish-e-Muhammad, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jundullah, etc, could be involved in the incident. He said a conspiracy was being hatched to create differences between PPP and MQM, stressing that some elements want to destabilise the country for their vested interests. Malik said he was in touch with MQM Chief Altaf Hussain and other MQM leaders over the recent target-killings in Karachi, maintaining that they all were worried about the present situation obtaining in the City. He further said that after the defeat in Waziristan, Swat and Malakand terrorists want to destabilise the country by carrying out activities in Karachi. He appealed to the people from all walks of life to exercise restraint and thwart plot to disturb Citys peace. Talking about the incidents in Lyari, the minister said Lyari deaths were a sequel to a girls illicit relations. He advised the media not to give it a colour of target-killing. He categorically stated target-killing would not be tolerated in the City, adding the government would take strict action against criminals, gangsters, land mafia and others. He underlined the need for joint efforts against target-killings in the City, saying everybody knows the reasons behind it. He said the enemies want to destabilise the country, but the government will thwart such conspiracies. According to him, those killed in Baldia Town blast belonged to Swat, saying that two suicide jackets, 25 grenades, Kalashnikovs and other arms were recovered from the blast site. He said the owner of the destroyed house would also be arrested over renting his house to such elements. To a query, Malik said the authorities got important information after the bomb recovered from Shadman Town.

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