Rehman Malik admits weak Anti-Terrorism Act allowing banned organisations’ continued activities

Islamabad -  Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has stressed the need for improving a law to control activities of banned organisations.

The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying that the delay in approval of an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act was the main reason behind banned outfits’ holding rallies across the country.

He was replying to a point of order raised by Sheikh Waqas Akram of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and Sahibzada Fazal Karim of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Malik  said that revamping of laws was the solution, but an amendment bill had been lying with the Senate standing committee for the past two years.  

Earlier, Akram said that Rehman Malik had lied before the cabinet committee that the provincial government was responsible for the rallies of the Defence Council Pakistan (DCP). 

“This is a shame for the interior minister. How can you fight the war against terror, if you are unable to stop rallies of banned outfits in the country?” Akram had said.  

Fazal Karim endorsed the view of Waqas Akram and urged the government not to allow banned outfits to hold rallies in the country.     

In response, Malik said that these organisations had been rallying by changing their names. He assured the House that action would be taken if any rally was held in the federal capital.

“Revamping of laws is the only solution to the problem and parliament is the authority which can do that,” he added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had announced the grant of one additional basic pay to doctors and paramedical staff of government hospitals from January 1 in addition to their  existing salaries.