ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has suggested that there may have been foreign involvement in the recent sectarian violence in Karachi.
Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the National Assembly he could not rule out the possibility, promising a final report within three weeks.
Malik was addressing a debate on law and order in Pakistan. He said hostile forces that had plotted to destabilize Pakistan had been frustrated, although the danger has not passed.
Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali questioned whether the federal and Sindh governments were able to maintain law and order in Karachi.
Malik responded that initial investigations had revealed the notorious Jundallah group was connected to the deadly bomb attack on the Ashura procession last month, although no one has claimed responsibility for last Friday’s bombings, which struck a bus and hospital.
At least 30 people died in the attack, which happened as people commemorated the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Malik acknowledged that terrorists had escaped from military operations in Swat and South Waziristan.
He also said illegal immigrants had taken refuge in big cities such as Karachi and were engaged in criminal activities there.
