June 27, 2007
Suicide Attacks Do No Service to Islam: Musharraf
Islamabad
Suicide attacks, bombings and "other terrorist acts" do no service
to Islam, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said.
Musharraf, under relentless attack from the West for not doing
enough to crush Islamic militancy, said that "elements of terror"
were misusing the name of Islam.
The Daily Times reported Wednesday that Musharraf was speaking to
tribal leaders on Pakistan's border with Afghanistan Tuesday.
The president sought help from tribesmen in his country to evict
what he said were Islamic mercenaries based in Pakistan so that the
NATO-led forces could vacate Afghanistan.
To achieve peace in Afghanistan, it was necessary first to oust the
mercenaries who have made the rugged tribal areas of Pakistan their
home for many years, the Daily Times quoted him as saying.
"They have outlived their hospitality," Musharraf told the tribal 'Loya
Jirga' (grand assembly).
He made it clear that the Pakistan government would be able to eject
the "foreign elements" from tribal areas only with the support of
the people living in the areas.
"We have been housing (foreign elements) and providing them
hospitality for 28 years but now they are becoming a threat for our
solidarity," said Musharraf, who in recent times has become a pet
hate of radical Islamic groups.
Islamic fighters from around the world flocked to Pakistan following
the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1979. Many of them
subsequently joined forces with Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda after
the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan.
The Daily Times said several tribal leaders, including MPs,
boycotted the tribal assembly saying they were not consulted.
Musharraf's address comes amid frequent reports of firing from
across the border by NATO-led forces that have caused casualties on
the Pakistani side.
The president said that a joint Loya Jirga of the tribals from
Afghanistan and Pakistan would be held soon.
Boloji.com is owned and managed by Boloji Media Inc Privacy Policy |
Disclaimer
No part of this Internet site may
be reproduced without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
