'Sharif, Fazlur Rehman are prime targets'-

Lahore, Jan 16 : Pakistan Interior Minister in the Caretaker Government, Lt Gen (Retd) Hamid Nawaz Khan has said that former premier Nawaz Sharif and main Opposition leader Fazlur Rehman were among the prime targets of terrorists ahead of the February 18 elections.

He also named senior Pakistan Muslim League-Q leader Ejazul Haq, former Interior minister and head of PPP (Sherpao) Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, and Amir Muqam to be on terrorists' hit list. Meanwhile, Interior Ministry spokesman Javed Iqbal Cheema told reporters that the country's political leaders at large were facing a threat of attacks and must take their security arrangements seriously by avoiding unnecessary exposure till the polls.

"It is of paramount importance that the political leadership is sensitised about the looming threat," the Daily Times quoted Cheema as saying at a regular briefing.

Cheema said the authorities aimed to provide 'foolproof' security for all political leaders but said they too had to act responsibly.

The spokesman also said that small gatherings and corner meetings might be used as preferred mode of campaigning and big rallies should be avoided.

ANI