"Foreign hands" behind Swat, FATA insurgency, says Malik

Islamabad, Jan.22 (ANI): Pakistan Interior Advisor Rehman Malik has said that the rise in extremist activities in the tribal regions of the country was due to the help being offered to the extremists groups from some foreign countries.

He said that foreign hands were patronising terrorists in the Swat valley, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Addressing a seminar on Pakistan's current political and economic condition here, Malik said: "Terrorism is a cancer, not only for Pakistan but the entire world."

Commenting on the steps taken by the Pakistan Government to root out the militants from the troubled tribal areas, he said that the terrorists would be wiped-off from the region soon.

"The government has adopted a strategy to flush out terrorists from Swat, and peace will be restored there within two weeks," the Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.

He claimed that the authorities have established their control over the areas where militants created havoc earlier.

"The writ of the government has been established in majority of the areas," Malik said.

He also blamed poor infrastructure and lack of education and jobs in the region for turning people towards extremism.

Malik also announced a special rehabilitation package to bring 'peace and prosperity' in Swat and FATA..

"Under the package, Rs 1.2 billion will be spent on the rehabilitation of the displaced persons," he said, adding "15,000 jobs would be created to reduce poverty and unemployment in the area." (ANI)