Pak Interior Min to Iranian President: No dispute between Shia-Sunni brethren in Pakistan

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Minister Rahman Malek who was speaking at a press conference after signing a historical Iran-Pakistan Security Pact further emphasized, 'The Pakistani Shi'a and Sunni brethren are standing side by side of each other in their campaign against the enemies of Islam.'

Malek argued that the people of Pakistan respect the Islamic Republic of Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad greatly, adding, 'We have shared feelings in many fields with Iran and would stay by the side of the Iranian nation for good.'

He pointed out that the ongoing situation in Pakistan today is like the situation in Iran in the past, saying, 'A couple of years ago Iran was entangled with the terrorist group let of Junduallh (in Sistan and Balouchestan province) and today Pakistan is engaged with dozens of terrorist group lets such as Junduallh.'

The Pakistani interior minister noted that his country has been engaged in a campaign against terrorism during the past couple of decades, saying, 'Good steps have been taken in the campaign against terrorism, so that except Quetta and Karachi cities the terrorism issue is under control in Pakistan.'

Malek noted that the security cooperation between Iran and Pakistan date back to signing a culprits' deporting treaty between the two countries in the year 1960, adding, 'After that treaty another Letter of Understanding was signed in the year 1978 on joint meetings of the two countries' interior ministers, and today we were witnesses to the signing of this comprehensive Security Pact, which is inclusive if various aspects, including campaign against narcotic drugs trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, and exchange of security information between the two countries, among other issues.'

The top Pakistani cabinet minister emphasized, 'This letter of agreement is a sign of Iran and Pakistan's resolute determination and immense might for campaign against the criminals.'

The Pakistani interior minister said that establishment of peace and stability in the Middle East is a dire need, and even a religious duty for the Muslims, said, 'In this respect trilateral close cooperation among Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan is of great importance and in this respect you would in near future be witnesses to a trilateral meeting of the three countries' interior ministers over shared regional security concerns.'

Strike against terror attack on Shi'a Muslims in southwestern Pakistan disrupted life in port city of Karachi on Monday.

The blast killed over 80 people including women and children in Quetta on Saturday.

Shi'a Ulema Council and other Shi'a groups had called for the strike to press the government to arrest the culprits and to call for handing over Quetta to the army to maintain peace.

Almost all political and religious parties had backed the strike call as a goodwill gesture.

Shops and markets were reported shut in parts of Karachi and traffic was scarce.

Many government and private educational institutions were also closed and the strike was also affecting the schedule of the flights and trains to and from the city.

Shi'a groups also organized protest sit-ins in different parts of Karachi to show sympathy for the bereaved families, who are also staging protest and have refused to busy the dead unless the perpetrators are arrested.

The protesters and participants of the sit-ins say they would continue to demonstrate until the demands of the heirs of those killed and wounded in the bombing are not met.

Meanwhile Majlis-e-Wehdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Central Deputy Secretary General Maulana Amin Shaheedi has demanded that the army take over in Baluchistan and put a stop to ongoing violence in the province.

Shaheedi was speaking at a news conference in Quetta, who condemned Saturday’s deadly bombings.

He asked the army to take over the region and preserve peace and put an end to these killings.

He demanded the security forces' plan targeted at operations on hiding places of the suicide bombers and those who are responsible for sowing the seeds for sectarian violence. He called for immediate arrest and trial of the culprits involved.

He also demanded the government to allow the public to practice self defense while remaining within the constitutional limits.

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