The Post : ‘Pakistan to swap Hyrbiar with Rauf’

‘Pakistan to swap Hyrbiar with Rauf’

Staff Reporter | December 14, 2007

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Lt-Gen (r) Hamid Nawaz Thursday said that Pakistan would ask the United Kingdom for handing over wanted criminals in swap of Rashif Rauf.

"Rashid Rauf is under investigation here and the legal procedure is not yet over, so we may ask the United Kingdom for handing over of two suspects including Hyrbiar Marri," he told media men after a ceremony held at FIA Headquarters in connection with inauguration of new uniform for immigration staff at all international check posts of Pakistan.

The new uniform with steel grey shirt and black trousers of the Immigration staff has been changed after 33 years as a distinction because Custom, Airport Security Force and Immigration employees have almost the same uniform.

The minister termed the news published in a section of the press about the plot to kill President Musharraf as 'baseless'. "I have read the news and trying to know the source of it which is not based on the facts," he added.

He played down the statements of Nawaz Sharif and Benazir, who accused army and the president of chaos in the country. "There is no chaos in the country with things moving amicably in right direction. The election campaign is peacefully going on and the environment is conducive for elections," he added.

Though, he did not admit if it was chaos in the country with regard to the statements of BB and Nawaz Sharif, but he said results of the elections would reveal as to who created chaos.

Asked if military operation in Swat against insurgents would be stopped after emergency's end, he said there is no link between Swat operation and lifting of emergency. "Swat operation was very much consolidated and had been almost completed. There is no connection between emergency and operation." The minister said he heartedly wishes for releasing Aitzaz Ahsan held under MPO, adding fault does not lay at one end and he will have to show responsible attitude. He said ministry is in touch with provincial governments and remaining three or four persons would be released soon. Addressing the Immigration staff, the minister urged them to be more responsible and demonstrate honesty to earn good name for the country. "Inner of an individual is like a child and a policeman.