ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Shah says that the decision to suspend services of mobile phones and ban motorcycle riding in Karachi and Quetta was a decision taken by Interior Minister Rehman Malik in his personal capacity and had nothing to do with the government.

Malik’s decision was quickly knocked down by the Sindh High Court (SHC) that he resented a lot. He said that he suspended the cellular phone service and banned bike riding with the approval of President Asif Ali Zardari.

Shah told the reporters that the action should be taken against any group or party involved in Karachi violence.

Shah said that the government welcomed the decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold upcoming general elections under the supervision of judiciary.

He suggested that police, paramilitary Rangers and the army should also be deployed for the upcoming parliamentary polls.

The minister was critical of a recent statement of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Adm. (retd) Fasih Bokhari about politicians.

Bokhari said on Saturday he would never resign and would continue to work for elimination of corruption.

“If authorities concerned want me out of office, they can remove me,” he said at a press conference.

The NAB chairman did not elaborate on what had compelled him to hold the press conference.

But sources in the bureau said he was under tremendous pressure after initiating investigations against top politicians, generals and other influential persons.