Pakistan threatened by non-state actors: says Zardari

Under attack from the global community for its inability in containing terrorism emanating from its soil, Pakistan said the country is threatened by the 'non-state actors' and sought China's help in eradicating the menace.

Under attack from the global community for its inability in containing terrorism emanating from its soil, Pakistan on Monday said the country is threatened by the 'non-state actors' and sought China's help in eradicating the menace.

HT Image

President Asif Ali Zardari, who is in China on a visit, said Pakistan won't allow 'noxious fumes' of this dangerous 'non-state actors' ideology to spread to other nations in the region.

"Pakistan is fighting terrorists not only for its own sake but for the entire region. We are determined not to allow the noxious fumes of this dangerous phenomenon and ideology to spread to other countries," Zardari said.

Zardari said the world, including the super powers, is facing challenges from the non-state actors who are bent upon damaging the world peace.

"We are not threatened by nations but by the non-state actors," Zardari said, addressing Shanghai-based think tanks.

He said the emergence of these elements was a new phenomenon as they have nothing to lose but everything to damage.

Beijing has been exerting pressure on Islamabad to rein in terrorism emanating from its territory into China's restive northern Xinjiang region where Islamic Uygur militants are seeking independence from the country.

As Pakistan grapples with the threat of terrorism, China can help in this area too, Zardari said.