Govt to take action against 390 extremists: Musharraf
ISLAMABAD: The government has identified 390 individuals belonging to banned jihadi groups it will move against for fanning extremism, President General Pervez Musharraf has said.
“Action is also being taken against those using mosques for spreading extremism and those publishing hate material,” Gen Musharraf said in a speech at the Pak-PAC’s 16th annual banquet on Wednesday.
He said the government had made short and long-term policies to eliminate extremism and terrorism and bring about a societal change. The government is revising curricula and reforming madrassas as part of its long-term strategy to effect an “Islamic renaissance”.
The president said the Organisation of the Islamic Conference had become “impotent” and needed to be restructured.
Gen Musharraf said he had resolved to go ahead with the construction of major water reservoirs and would convince those, particularly the people of Sindh, who were opposed to new dams.
He did not name the controversial Kalabagh Dam, but clearly indicated that he would move forward with the project. “I will not let Sindh commit suicide because of water shortage in the future. I will also not let Pakistan commit suicide.” The president, who explained the October 8 earthquake situation to the audience, referred to the dams issue and said another earthquake was in the offing. “But, I am sure this will register low on the Richter scale and we will turn the tide,” he said, adding that it was a matter of life and death to some people who lacked the courage to speak the truth.
Gen Musharraf said these people were putting up obstacles to the construction of major water reservoirs without understanding the immediate need for dams. “Sindh will suffer the most if we don’t go ahead with water projects,” he said, adding that he would visit the province from today to meet the people there. He said he was not against consensus or debating the issue in public and in parliament. “This issue involves every Pakistani and I would like an open discussion on it. I want the people to speak the truth. We will make these dams,” the president said, adding that he was confident he would get support for water projects including Kalabagh Dam.
“Action is also being taken against those using mosques for spreading extremism and those publishing hate material,” Gen Musharraf said in a speech at the Pak-PAC’s 16th annual banquet on Wednesday.
He said the government had made short and long-term policies to eliminate extremism and terrorism and bring about a societal change. The government is revising curricula and reforming madrassas as part of its long-term strategy to effect an “Islamic renaissance”.
The president said the Organisation of the Islamic Conference had become “impotent” and needed to be restructured.
Gen Musharraf said he had resolved to go ahead with the construction of major water reservoirs and would convince those, particularly the people of Sindh, who were opposed to new dams.
He did not name the controversial Kalabagh Dam, but clearly indicated that he would move forward with the project. “I will not let Sindh commit suicide because of water shortage in the future. I will also not let Pakistan commit suicide.” The president, who explained the October 8 earthquake situation to the audience, referred to the dams issue and said another earthquake was in the offing. “But, I am sure this will register low on the Richter scale and we will turn the tide,” he said, adding that it was a matter of life and death to some people who lacked the courage to speak the truth.
Gen Musharraf said these people were putting up obstacles to the construction of major water reservoirs without understanding the immediate need for dams. “Sindh will suffer the most if we don’t go ahead with water projects,” he said, adding that he would visit the province from today to meet the people there. He said he was not against consensus or debating the issue in public and in parliament. “This issue involves every Pakistani and I would like an open discussion on it. I want the people to speak the truth. We will make these dams,” the president said, adding that he was confident he would get support for water projects including Kalabagh Dam.
posted by Marko at 12/22/2005 01:08:00 AM
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