One of the Karachi bombers hailed from Pak tribal belt: Malik

"(The bomber named) Masood is a resident of South Waziristan. Investigations of the Karachi suicide attack also lead to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. There are hostile elements operating (in the area) and we have the evidence," Malik told the National Assembly or lower house of parliament.

He made the remarks while winding up a debate on incursions by NATO helicopters into Pakistani territory.

Ten people were killed and over 70 injured when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in the shrine in Karachi yesterday.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. "No religion of the world permits suicide attacks. Hostile elements, after suffering defeat in Swat and Malakand, are targeting our economic hub of Karachi," Malik said.

These elements are trying to "instigate religious sects in a conspiracy to destabilise the country," he said.

In this context, he referred to attacks on the Sunni and Shia sects in Karachi and Quetta and the bombing of the shrines of Syed Ali Hajweri in Lahore and Abdullah Shah Ghazi in Karachi.

"They are now engaged in targeted action after failing to cultivate an uprising in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It is a hard time. We are facing internal and external challenges and need national cohesion," Malik said.