Taliban’s women, children not in custody of security agencies: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister Rehman Malik has said that the women and children of the Taliban were not in the custody of the security organisations. “The release of prisoners and withdrawal of troops from Waziristan are not new demands of the Taliban. These demands have been repeated since 2004,” he said. He said that the withdrawal of troops from Fata would not be in the interest of the country and it might affect peace efforts. The withdrawal of troops and freeing prisoners involved in heinous crimes would lead to reactivation of the terrorists. He said that it would be hitting axe on the feet. Talking to this correspondent here on Sunday he said talks of ceasefire was above the comprehension. He said the security organisations had been defending the country while the Taliban had imposed war in the shape of suicide attacks and bomb blasts. He said the troops knew well how to tackle the attackers. Rahman said that the troops and security outfits never arrested ladies and children. However a number of companions of Mulla Fazlullah were in custody and FIRs were there against them.The government could release those involved in heinous crimes if it wished so but it might be kept in mind that in that case demands from abroad might also come for the release of Dr Shakil Afridi. Therefore the government should keep in mind national interests before taking crucial decisions, Rehman concluded.