PAKISTAN: MUSHARRAF WARNS FOREIGN MILITANTS TO LEAVE OR DIE
Lahore, 24 March (AKI/DAWN) - Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf has warned foreign militants to leave the country or risk being killed. Speaking at a convention in Lahore marking the 100th anniversary of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, Musharraf said that militants hiding there were violating the sovereignty of the country and held them responsible for spreading terrorism. "I warn them that they should quit Pakistan or we’ll kill them all," he said.
Musharraf warned extremists and foreign militants in Waziristan, the sardars or tribal leaders of Baluchistan province as well as exiled leaders in London about anti-state activities.
He said that the exploitation of religion, terrorism in Pakistan and across the world, blackmailing and depriving the weaker tribesmen of their rights would not be tolerated any more.
Musharraf is under increasing international pressure to crack down on militants operating in Pakistan. Afghan and U.S. officials claim Taliban insurgents have established bases in Pakistan's remote tribal areas. Afghanistan has also repeatedly accused Islamabad of not doing enough to stop militants from launching cross border raids.
Security was tight at the event in Lahore on Thursday where an announcement that the president would be attending the ceremony was made just 40 minutes after the arrival of prime minister Shaukat Aziz who, till then, was expected to be the main speaker.
According to the Pakistani daily Dawn, this was perhaps the first time the president spoke from a rostrum protected by a bullet-proof glass shield.
Referring to the volatile situation in Waziristan, the tribal belt along the Pakistan-Afghan border the president said that those supporting the militants fighting the security forces in the region would also not be allowed to live in Pakistan. “We’ll eliminate terrorists and extremists”.
The president alleged that a few tribal leaders were responsible for the unrest in in the south-western province of Baluchistan where security forces have been fighting tribal rebels demanding greater economic and political rights. "Their days are numbered," he said. "The situation will witness a marked improvement over the next few days,” he said, implying that a stronger action was about to be taken against those fuelling the situation.
Musharraf said he would soon be going to Dera Bugti in Baluchistan to convey a message to the tribal leader that Baluchistan belonged to all Baluchi people and not to them only.
President Musharraf said that though the government had allocated an unprecedented amount of Rs140 billion for the development of Baluchistan, they were opposed to the process.
Regarding the religious groups, who he said were very fond of frequently holding “million-men marches” in which not more than a couple of hundred people participated, Musharraf said extremism and intolerance could not be allowed. This was a reference to the rally by Pakistan's six-party religious alliance, the MMA, against the visit of US president George W. Bush last month, which it dubbed "a million man march"
He said some people were misusing religion for their political interests. “They will be dealt with sternly," he said.
Musharraf warned extremists and foreign militants in Waziristan, the sardars or tribal leaders of Baluchistan province as well as exiled leaders in London about anti-state activities.
He said that the exploitation of religion, terrorism in Pakistan and across the world, blackmailing and depriving the weaker tribesmen of their rights would not be tolerated any more.
Musharraf is under increasing international pressure to crack down on militants operating in Pakistan. Afghan and U.S. officials claim Taliban insurgents have established bases in Pakistan's remote tribal areas. Afghanistan has also repeatedly accused Islamabad of not doing enough to stop militants from launching cross border raids.
Security was tight at the event in Lahore on Thursday where an announcement that the president would be attending the ceremony was made just 40 minutes after the arrival of prime minister Shaukat Aziz who, till then, was expected to be the main speaker.
According to the Pakistani daily Dawn, this was perhaps the first time the president spoke from a rostrum protected by a bullet-proof glass shield.
Referring to the volatile situation in Waziristan, the tribal belt along the Pakistan-Afghan border the president said that those supporting the militants fighting the security forces in the region would also not be allowed to live in Pakistan. “We’ll eliminate terrorists and extremists”.
The president alleged that a few tribal leaders were responsible for the unrest in in the south-western province of Baluchistan where security forces have been fighting tribal rebels demanding greater economic and political rights. "Their days are numbered," he said. "The situation will witness a marked improvement over the next few days,” he said, implying that a stronger action was about to be taken against those fuelling the situation.
Musharraf said he would soon be going to Dera Bugti in Baluchistan to convey a message to the tribal leader that Baluchistan belonged to all Baluchi people and not to them only.
President Musharraf said that though the government had allocated an unprecedented amount of Rs140 billion for the development of Baluchistan, they were opposed to the process.
Regarding the religious groups, who he said were very fond of frequently holding “million-men marches” in which not more than a couple of hundred people participated, Musharraf said extremism and intolerance could not be allowed. This was a reference to the rally by Pakistan's six-party religious alliance, the MMA, against the visit of US president George W. Bush last month, which it dubbed "a million man march"
He said some people were misusing religion for their political interests. “They will be dealt with sternly," he said.
posted by Marko at 3/24/2006 07:18:00 AM
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