Pakistan issues arrest warrant against TTP chief, 7 others

Dec 21, 2014

PM Nawaz Sharif vowed on Saturday to eliminate terrorism from the country following the brutal Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar.

LAHORE/KARACHI: PM Nawaz Sharif vowed on Saturday to eliminate terrorism from the country following the brutal Taliban attack on an army-run school in Peshawar. 

After his statement, an anti-terrorism court in Karachi issued non-bailable arrest warrants against eight persons, including Pakistan Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah, for the brazen militant assault on Karachi airport in June. 

Some media reports claimed that Fazlullah could be among militants killed in Saturday's air strikes. But, sources said they were yet to confirm the killing of self-styled cleric in the strikes along with other top commanders. 

The court issued the warrants after police filed a chargesheet in the court, The Express Tribune reported. 

At least 37 people, including 10 terrorists, were killed after an all-night battle with militants who besieged Karachi airport's old terminal on June 8. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Shahidullah Shahid had claimed responsibility for the audacious attack. The militants had also mounted another attack on a security check post outside the airport just a day after the attack, without causing anymore casualties. 

Meanwhile, Sharif welcomed the unity demonstrated by political parties following the brutal Taliban attack on Peshawar school. "Pakistan's main focus right now is to fight terrorism as we have to eliminate it from our soil," Sharif said. "It is a welcom sign that all political parties have united on one platform against terrorism," he said during a meeting with a delegation of princes from the UAE at his residence in Lahore. 

Sharif said operation Zarb-e-Azb launched by Pakistan army in northwestern tribal region in June was progressing successfully and added that no terrorist would be spared. Sharif also stressed that his government was working to expedite the delivery of justice. On Wednesday, he lifted a self-imposed moratorium on death penalty in terror-related cases, in place since 2008. 

So far two terrorists — Mohammad Aqeel alias Dr Usman and Arshad Mahmood — involved in attacks on army headquarters and and former military ruler Pervez Musharraf have been hanged. Eight more could be sent to the gallows in the next 48 hours in various prisons of Punjab.