ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Shaheryar Khan Afridi on Tuesday hinted at involvement of foreign elements in the recent attack on members of the Hazara community in Quetta.

Speaking at a press conference at his office, he said the government had taken all necessary steps and would soon place the facts regarding the Hazarganji suicide attack before the nation and the world.

`Our enemies always tried to isolate us in the world and we will expose them with facts,` he remarked.

At the press conference, he was flanked by some representatives of the Hazara community and members of the All Siyasi Ittihad of Waziristan.

Vowing to heal the wounds of the Shia Hazara community, the minister said both the federal and Balochistan governments had assured its leaders that their grievances would be addressed.

Mr Afridi said that on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan he along with Prime Minister`s Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari had visited Balochistan to condole with the bereaved families of the community and hear their grievances.

He said the federal government stood with the Hazara communityand concrete steps would be taken to end the crimes against its members.

The community`s members ended their protest sit-in in Quetta despite many reservations, he said, adding that all key stakeholders including the political parties, chief minister of Balochistan and the armed forces played their role in persuading them to end the protest.

`The Hazara community`s members just told us that we are Pakistanis and we must be considered as Pakistanis. It is the vision of the prime minister that whatever sects he/she comes from, the protection of life and prosperity is the responsibly of the state,` he said.

Answering a question, he said that no written agreement had been signed with members of the community.

He further said the civil and military leaderships and all other stakeholders were united and `on the same page` to eradicate the scourge of terrorism.

The minister said the National Action Plan (NAP) would be implemented in letter and spirit.

`The government has taken concert measures to implement NAP and has formed expert groups to submit reports to it for improvement in the counterterrorism plan,` he said, adding that professionals had been included in the groups.

Mr Afridi said that no one would be allowed to take the lawinto his/her hands and appropriate steps were being taken in this regard. `There will be no compromise on the law and the Constitution,` he remarked.

He made it clear that the state would act against all those who were bringing a bad name to the country. Effective steps would be taken to curb terrorism and terror financing.

Mr Afridi said the visa policy announced by the government would play an important role in improving the tourism industry and create a conducive environment for investment in the country. `We have opened doors to visit different parts of Pakistan, he said, adding that earlier tourists were facing problems to visit various parts of the country.

Responding to a question, he said that Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia would be released before Ramazan.

He said the government had assured members of the All Siyasi Ittihad of Waziristan that their legitimate demands would be met soon.

They had called for steps for rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons as well as bringing back the people who had gone to Afghanistan during the military operation.

The minister said that over 5,800 people of Waziristan had moved to Afghanistan during the operation and the Afghan government had been contacted in this regard.