ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday admitted in the Senate that kidnapping of children for ransom has become a lucrative business, especially in Sindh and Balochistan.

"The kidnapping of children has become an attractive business and some anti-social elements kidnap children of the rich families for money," said Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, while responding to the issue raised by senators belonging to Sindh and Balochistan during the debate in the upper house on the law and order situation in the country.

The Senate started debate on law and order on Tuesday but it remained inconclusive and will now resume next week, as Adviser to PM would not be available for the next two days. The senators portrayed a grim picture of the law and order situation in the country, especially Balochistan, and some even went to the extent of asking the government to abandon the so-called war on terror.

Senator Abdul Rahim Mandokhel said in Balochistan the police were performing the role of deal-broker between the kidnappers and the victims' families. He also accused the intelligence agencies of sponsoring extremism in the country.

Senator Abdul Razzaq Thaheem also drew the attention of the government towards kidnapping-for-ransom incidents in Sindh. Rehman Malik said the police have recovered 40 to 50 abducted people and 25 stolen vehicles from the Kachcha area of Sindh, while the whole area is being scanned for the arrest of the accused.

He said an additional Inspector General has been deputed in Islamabad and he would review the performance of all inspectors general (IGs) and high-level police officials all over the country. "I will issue directives to the provincial governments to ensure that all police officers reply to the parliamentarians' queries," he said.

He said the E-crime system under the aegis of the interior ministry is being initiated and it would start work within weeks. Under the system, the citizens can register their complaint against the police on special toll-free number. He said immediate action would be taken on receiving complaint against the police.

Senator Dr Abdul Malik said the drug mafia has strengthened itself in Balochistan. Some 200 to 300 cases have been registered against the tribal chiefs but no action is taken against them. "The law is used against the poor masses only," he regretted. Senator Azam Swati said the governments in the past took wrong decisions by supporting the Afghan jihad and also by becoming partner in the war on terror.

Col (retd) Tahir Hussain Mashahdi said law and order was a provincial subject and this should be shifted to provinces by ensuring provincial autonomy. Senator Dr Ismail Baleedi regretted that bearded persons are dubbed as terrorists and handed over to the US. Senator Kamran Murtaza said one general gave the gift of heroin and Kalashnikov to the nation, while another has given the gift of bomb blasts.