Online News : Sherpao rules out suicide bomb attack on Prince Charles during his visit to Pakistan

Sherpao rules out suicide bomb attack on Prince Charles during his visit to Pakistan

October 29, 2006

PESHAWAR: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has ruled out suicide bomb attack on prince Charles during his visit to Pakistan saying government has made stringent security arrangements as he is future king of Britain and it is key obligation of the government to provide security to the head of any state.

He said this while talking to the Online Saturday. He told that the British media has expressed fear about suicide bomb attack on Prince Charles during his visit to Pakistan.

There is no substance in such apprehension, he remarked. Government of Pakistan has taken stringent measures to provide him security as Prince Charles is future monarch of UK. The security will be provided to him the way it is provided to any head of state, he added. No lapse will be allowed to take place in this regard, he added.

He pointed out that strategy has been evolved in consultation with the chiefs of law enforcement agencies to ensure fool proof security arrangements during the visit of Prince Charles. All the security agencies will perform their respective duties in effective manner, he assured.

Replying to a question related to Rashid Rauf who is arrested in plane bombing plot case, he said Rashid Rauf is in the custody of secret agencies for the last three months. Government has neither expressed any clear stance on this count nor has Rashid Rauf been presented in any court. Had Rashid Rauf not been involved in plane bombing plot, he would have been released so far. The secret agencies of Pakistan, US and UK are investigating the matter jointly, he told.

Moreover the interior minister will leave for UK today on five day visit. He will hold meeting with the respective British officials with reference to Public safety commission.

Aftab Sherpao will meet with the home secretary there and discuss a host of issues including terrorism during his meeting.

A meeting will also take place between the interior minister and chief of London metropolitan police.

He will undertake visit of Birmingham and Manchester.