Taliban, a part of Afghan society and not terrorists: Pervez Musharraf
13 August, 2007
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| KABUL: Pakistan’s President General Pervez Musharraf delivers his speech at the concluding session of Pak Afghan Peace Jirga as his Afghan counterpa |
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KABUL: President General Pervez Musharraf has said Taliban are part of Afghan society and they are not terrorists, therefore, Afghan government will have to integrate them into political mainstream.
He said this while addressing concluding session of Pak-Afghan Grand Peace Jirga (PAGPJ) here Sunday.
Pakistan neither wants to control Afghanistan nor does it want government of its own choice in Afghanistan, he said adding Pakistan wants both the countries should together serve as bridge with Central Asian Republics and South Asia.
There is no substance in this allegation that ' we want turmoil in Afghanistan, he held. A strong and stable Afghanistan is rather in the interest of Pakistan.
He stressed both the countries have to move forward together for development and progress. Both have to launch collective efforts to defeat the forces of terrorism and extremism.
Pakistan and Afghanistan both are victims of terrorism, he underlined. This state of affairs has not only stalled the economic development in the region but also it is bringing bad name to religion.
He held Taliban and Al-qaeda militants are behind chaos in Pakistan. ' We want well being, peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.
He underscored success would remain elusive if both the countries would not repose trust upon each other. ' We have to perceive the nature of militants', he added. Pakistan and Afghanistan will have to pledge not to indulge in blame game against each other.There is no other option left with both the counties except to proceed side by side, he added.
He went on to say government of Pakistan was fully alive to its responsibility. Efforts were underway to eliminate Talibanisation from tribal areas of Pakistan, he added. Taliban gains support from tribal areas and government of Pakistan is striving to cover them, he maintained.
World countries have got closer and Pakistan and Afghanistan have to benefit from positive aspects of globalisation, he urged.
Pakistan will provide port facilities to Afghanistan for promotion of its trade, President told. Pakistan wants Afghanistan to go for trade links with other countries, achieve economic development and quality of life of Afghan people is improved.
There is no justification to adopt the course of terrorism and extremism to attain rights, he underscored.
Talibanisation is a thinking and a practice, he said adding Al-Qaeda and foreigners can be captured but in Taliban case, there is need to evolve a strategy. Use of force is not necessary, he urged.
'We have not only to fight against Taliban but also against Talibanisation, however, situation can get worsen through use of force', he cautioned.
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