Joint investigation team to probe recovery of explosives in Peshawar

Islamabad, Dec 7 (UNI) Pakistan Home Ministry has announced to set up a joint investigation team to probe the incident of alleged recovery of explosives outside the office of the Northwestern Frontier Province (NWFP) Chief Minister on Tuesday.

Chief minister Akram Durrani, whose six-party Islamic alliance, Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal(MMA) rules the NWFP, had accused the official of a federal spy agency- Intelligence Bureau (IB) for planting the explosives.

Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said in Islamabad that a joint investigation team comprising officials of the federal and provincial governments was being set up to probe the incident.

He said the incident was a result of misunderstanding, adding the NWFP chief minister should not have reacted in this fashion and the stance of the Intelligence Bureau be considered in this respect.

He also called upon the NWFP chief minister to avoid taking political benefits out of the incident and concentrate on improving law and order situation in the province.

''I think the NWFP government has overreacted on the incident,'' he added.

Expressing grave concern over what he called an offence against the province, Durrani said in Peshawar that all those involved in planting explosive at his Peshawar secretariat would be given exemplary punishment.

UNI XC AKJ BD1521