![](https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/Rashid1643861646-0/Rashid1643861646-0.jpg)
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed while referring to the recent rise in terror attacks across the country warned that similar incidents could witness another surge in the coming days.
“I don’t want to comment on negotiations [with the TTP]…The Taliban are playing a mediatory role but the incidents which took place during the last week could increase further,” Rashid said while addressing a rally in Rawalpindi to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day on Saturday.
The minister was apparently referring to the negotiations between Pakistan and banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) being brokered by the Afghan Taliban, which led to a one-month ceasefire agreement.
Pakistan had approached the Afghan Taliban leadership after the group returned to power in August with a list of demands that included action against the TTP. However, the Afghan Taliban instead offered their good offices to broker a peace deal with the TTP.
Pakistan accepted the offer and after some face-to-face meetings between the two sides, a ceasefire deal was reached in November.
However, National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf told the Senate committee that the banned TTP had unilaterally scrapped the truce.
Also read: Ministry issues second threat alert in two weeks
The Ministry of Interior on Thursday also issued another threat alert in the wake of recent terrorist attacks, directing the authorities concerned to ensure the “highest level of preparedness and extra vigilance” against the threats posed by “anti-state elements”.
In the wake of the recent terror attacks carried out by miscreants in Panjgur and Naushki districts of Balochistan, the second threat alert issued in less than two weeks stated: “Highest level of preparedness and extra vigilance may kindly be ensured by all provincial governments, intelligence and law enforcement agencies to thwart any nefarious designs of anti-state elements.”
Pak-Afghan ties
Rashid said that Pakistan’s development is linked to stability in Afghanistan, adding the Taliban got independence after 40 years of war and Pakistan has friendly relations with the interim government in Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan’s defence is in safe hands, and “we have not made bombs to use them on Devali or Shab Barat, adding any move to destabilise the country would be dealt with iron hands”, he added.
Also read: TTP unilaterally scrapped ceasefire deal: NSA
The federal minister, on the occasion, said that he always did the politics of the well-being of the oppressed people and never supported any land mafia in the city, adding 10,000 volunteers would be enrolled in his constituency who will assist the needy people.
Pakistani nation, he said, is united on the Kashmir issue and would not abandon our brethren in the Indian occupied region.
He said Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein and freedom is the fundamental right of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) which cannot be denied.
(With additional input from APP)