Quetta, Mar 19: Pakistan’s Frontier Corps Inspector General, Major General Saleem Nawaz, has denied the presence of Mullah Omar and the Taliban in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan, saying that they lacked political and tribal support in the province.

“Border and other areas of Balochistan territory are not congenial for Taliban activities,” Major General told reporters in the FC headquarters here, adding that Quetta is not safe haven of Taliban.

He said that story published in The New York Times about the Taliban presence and free movement in Quetta and other areas needs authentication despite quoting of US government officials.

Responding to a question about drone attacks planning in Balochistan, the IG Frontier Corps said that drone attacks yielded no positive results and these attacks further aggravated the situation.

The Dawn quoted Major General as saying that as Inspector General FC in Balochistan he was aware of the presence of religious Madrassas (seminaries), but said that they are giving religious education, which was very positive training.

However, he conceded that a few Madrassas and people might have contact with the Taliban.

Major General Nawaz said that explosions and bomb blasts were a nationwide phenomenon, and pointed out that they are taking place all over the country including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, administrated and settled areas of Frontier Province.

He said that the Taliban couldn’t operate effectively from this area. However, the IG Frontier Corps said if somebody is passing from particular territory they look like Baloch, Pashtoon people of Balochistan, NWFP, FATA and Pakistanis and their movement in Pakistan cannot be denied and it is never denied.

Replying to a question about John Solecki, Major General Saleem said that high officials of Balochistan Government’s Interior Ministry, US agencies and UN officials are direct or indirectly in contact with abductors.

He said that same people are involved in the kidnapping of John Solecki who claimed the champions of Baloch rights and efforts are under way for safe recovery of UN top official. (ANI)