Pakistan fighting for survival against Taliban: Zardari, Islamic World News, NewAgeIslam.com

Islamic World News

Pakistan fighting for survival against Taliban: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is fighting a war for its survival against the Taliban, who have a presence in large parts of the country, President Asif Ali Zardari has said.

"Taliban want to overtake the state of Pakistan," he told a US TV channel. "It is indispensable to halt the rising influence of Taliban by using force as they desire to change our living style."

The interview will be broadcast Sunday.

Noting that the military was backing the government in its war against terrorism along the country's restive border with Afghanistan, Zardari said that but for this the Taliban would have overrun Islamabad.

Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday jointly presided over a high-level meeting to review the situation in tribal areas and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and decided to continue the military operation against Taliban militants in the turbulent Swat valley to re-establish the government's writ.

"The meeting expressed satisfaction over the way the fight against militancy was proceeding and vowed to continue the campaign till the eradication of militancy and complete restoration of the writ of the government," Dawn reported Saturday.

http://newageislam.com/pakistan-fighting-for-survival-against-taliban--zardari/islamic-world-news/d/1194

War on terror and India’s stake, War on Terror, NewAgeIslam.com

War on Terror

War on terror and India’s stake

By Kuldip Nayar

People do not know how far the Al Qaeda-Taliban combine has penetrated Pakistan. But the belief is that the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and, to a large extent, the NWFP province, is under the control of the Taliban. Were they to ‘capture’ more territory, what would be its effect on India is the greatest worry. President Asif Ali Zardari’s remark that “the Taliban have an upper hand” is all the more unnerving. America agrees with him.

A Pakistani television commentator has challenged Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to travel from Kohat to Bannu. The commentator’s contention is that the Pakistan government had already “withdrawn” from this area. If this is true, there is some truth in the repeated allegation that former President Pervez Musharraf, even while in uniform, was never serious about curbing Al Qaeda and the Taliban. He found it an effective way to milch America. That he connived at the intervention of the US troops on Pakistani soil is an open secret.

In contrast, Zardari’s statement or that of army chief Gen Kayani that Pakistan’s sovereignty would not be allowed to be trifled with has come as a welcome surprise. Islamabad is defending its territory and there are signs of it when its guns drove away American helicopters the other day. Pakistan is careful not to engage the superpower but whatever Islamabad is doing to keep its dignity intact needs to be commended.

http://newageislam.com/war-on-terror-and-india%E2%80%99s-stake--/war-on-terror/d/809

Incursions into Afghanistan from Pakistan troubling: Bush, War on Terror, NewAgeIslam.com

War on Terror

Incursions into Afghanistan from Pakistan troubling: Bush

Speaking at a White House press conference, Bush also said the United States would investigate charges by Afghan President Hamid Karzai that elements of the Pakistani intelligence services had been involved in attacks in Afghanistan.

"We'll investigate his charge and we'll work with his service to get to the bottom of his allegation," the president said. "No question, however, that some extremists are coming out of parts of Pakistan into Afghanistan," Bush said. "And that's troubling to us, it's troubling to Afghanistan, and it should be troubling to Pakistan.

"I certainly hope that the government understands the dangers of extremists moving in their country," the president said. "I think they do." "As a matter of fact, we'll have an opportunity to explore that further" with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Bush said.

"Pakistan is an ally. Pakistan is a friend," he said. "And I repeat, all three countries -- the United States, Pakistan and Afghanistan -- share a common enemy." "We will continue to keep the pressure on al-Qaeda with our Pakistan friends," Bush said.

http://newageislam.com/incursions-into-afghanistan-from-pakistan-troubling--bush/war-on-terror/d/242