Nisar questions Sindh’s role in ensuring security at Sehwan shrine

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan questioned the Sindh government over its failure to install walk through security gates at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine where a suicide attack this month claimed over 80 lives.

“Whose responsibility was it to ensure safety at the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine, the federal or the Sindh government?” he said, speaking to representatives of several journalist associations on Saturday.

He thanked media representatives for adhering to his request against running live commentary of terrorists. “Do not spread fear and panic among the public. Rather promote a feeling that empowers the public to win this fight against terrorism,” he said.

The interior minister reiterated that terrorism in Pakistan had decreased. “In June 2013 every day six to seven bomb blasts took place in the country. The numbers have reduced,” he said.

He said it was unfair to take individual credit for winning the war against terrorism and added that the Sindh government was wrong to pinpoint the interior minister for a security lapse at the Sehwan shrine.

He told journalists that during a briefing on the Sehwan bombing the Army Chief asked the Chief Secretary over security arrangements at the shrine before the blasts. He added that millions are received for the security of the shrine every year.