Pak Punjab Chief Minister admits existence of terror network in province

Lahore, July 3 (ANI): Pakistan Punjab province Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, for the first time, has admitted that a deadly network of extremist groups exits in the province, adding that the government would soon dismantle the nefarious nexus.

Interacting with reporters in Sargodha, Shahbaz said: "The Punjab government will soon be successful in breaking the terrorist network in Punjab."

Demands for a full scale military offensive in Punjab have gained momentum with an enormous rise in terror incidents in Lahore and other parts of the province, but the provincial government has strongly denied the presence of any terror organisation, saying there is no 'no go' zone in the region.

Shahbaz blamed 'foreign hands' for the recent terror strikes across the country, The Dawn.

He also criticised Interior Minister Rehman Malik for his remarks that Punjab has become a safe haven for militants and that the Taliban on the run following the military offensive in Swat and Malakand have established their base in the province.

Shahbaz said such statements were and attempt to create a rift between provinces. (ANI)