Taliban militancy purely Afghan issue: President
By Makhdoom Babar

ISLAMABAD—President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday said the problem of militancy was in Afghanistan and its solution lies there, as Pakistan was addressing it in its tribal areas through political and administrative measures. “Any perception being created that the problem is in Pakistan and the solution is in Pakistan, and Afghanistan happens to be only a sideshow, is absolutely opposite,” the President told a gathering of the 17th annual dinner of Pakistani Americans Public Affairs Committee (PAK-PAC) here.
“The problem is in Afghanistan and its solution lies in Afghanistan ... there is no doubt in my mind, and this is the issue,” the President said. On the Pakistan side “we have to control the militant Taliban and to deal with them and the al- Qaeda,” he said and added measures were being taken to ensure that no support was going across the border.
President Musharraf said that military alone was not the solution and referred to the peace agreement signed between the local authorities and tribal elders that was aimed at ending support to any terrorist activity going on across the border in Afghanistan. He however said that if the government felt thatthe political and administrative measures were not effective, then it can avail the military option. President Musharraf said the political measures included segregating the peaceful from the militants, reinvigorating the political structure in the tribal agencies and undertaking reconstruction and development activities in those areas that are peaceful. He said the notables and tribal Maliks need to play their role.
“A similar strategy needs to be emulated not only in other [tribal] agencies, but also on Afghan side so that we can ultimately go for peace,” he added. The President said it was vital for the nation to understand the direction it wants to take. He said Pakistan was a progressive and enlightened country and needs to shun the path adopted by the obscurantist forces, who even tried to stop Quaid-e-Azam, Allama Iqbal and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.
“These same forces do not want us to move on the path of progress and enlightenment.” The President said the solution was with the 160 million people of Pakistan. “The 2007 election must show that they reject obscurantist and regressive forces...let the voice of the people of Pakistan speak louder.”
The President said that it will be the progressive and enlightened forces that will dominate, he added. The President urged the Pakistani American community in the United States to unite with a one voice and use it against anyone who is trying to bring harm to the country. “You must counter any propaganda and those who are trying to create misperceptions and maligning the country,” Musharraf said. The President spoke about the measures taken by the government to tackle problems that have been “brushed under the carpet” by previous governments, including the situation in Balochistan.
“The policy of appeasement is no more, things are improving in Balochistan, and vast majority is with us.” He said 15 out of 26 districts in Balochistan were now “A” Area and out of the influence of Sardars.
“No body who is anti-Pakistan will be allowed into Pakistan,” Musharraf added. The President mentioned issues of provincial autonomy, National Finance Commission Award, Kalabagh dam, Balochistan, non-amalgamation of FATA with NWFP and Hudood Ordinances as matters that have been ignored by the past governments, as they feared turbulence. “But we are addressing these for the long term advantage of Pakistan,” the President said. The President also briefed the participants about the progress made by Pakistan in economy and said the GDP and per capita income have doubled and government was taking measures to ensure that growth rate of 7 per cent is sustained.