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Taliban, Qaeda support increasing in Pakistan: Musharraf
Former president Pervez Musharraf has said that support for Taliban is increasing in Pakistan, echoing similar views expressed by President Asif Ali Zardari that extremists are "trying to take over the state".
Former president Pervez Musharraf has said that support for Taliban is increasing in Pakistan, echoing similar views expressed by President Asif Ali Zardari that extremists are "trying to take over the state".
"Increase in terrorism and extremism influencing people towards al-Qaeda and Talibanization. We have to control terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he was quoted as saying by Online International News Network.
Musharraf said terrorism and extremism posed serious threat to the security of the country and the region, adding that the government would have to effectively deal with issues, the Daily Times reported.
In response to a question, he said that he had no intention to join politics. The former president said various global think tanks had invited him to deliver lectures, adding that he would visit India next week.
Earlier President Asif Ali Zardari had made a startling admission in a CBS interview to be aired on Sunay that "We are aware of the fact ... Taliban... (is) trying to take over the state of Pakistan. So, we're fighting for the survival of Pakistan."
"(The Taliban) do have a presence in huge amounts of land in our side. Yes, that is the fact," he had said.
Musharraf had appropriated power in 1999 by ousting Nawaz Sharief from premiership of Pakistan. He formally took over as President in June 2001 and continued till August 2008.
