October 5, 2001	Friday	Rajab 17, 1422

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MINGORA, Oct 4: The former chief minister, NWFP, and a central leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said that the government’s decision to counter terrorism in the world is a correct approach and a courageous stand. He said this was in line with the United Nations (UN) charter and UN resolution.

Responding to some queries of Dawn on the internet on Thursday, the PPP leader said that the present crisis was the crucial test for the government as far as its foreign policy was concerned and this might in a way reflect on the economic and internal policies.

He said that the coming events would have to be addressed with a unified approach of building a moderate voice in order to combat religious extremism.

“This is what the moderate political parties and personalities should be working for and the government assisting and facilitating such moves. This is the time for moderate political parties to join hands and fill the vacuum that exists in the country and help in containing the fundamentalist aggressiveness of some of the religious parities,” Sherpao proposed.

He said that Pakistan needed to return to the democracy with a clear focus and vision for the future leaving behind the prevalent instability and frustration engulfing the country.

About the relations between Pakistan and the United States, Sherpao said the two countries have seen ups and downs, which had left the people very suspicious and apprehensive about America.

The US has to build a solid relationship acknowledging the difficult decision Pakistan has taken at this juncture, he added.

In his view the issue of the Afghan refugees was very sensitive and one of human suffering which needed international attention.

Pakistan had been bearing the responsibility for the last two decades and should now be given an adequate and continuous help till such time the problem was resolved, he maintained.

In response to a question about his personal activities and arrival here, Sherpao said that he had not yet fixed a date for return to the country, but it would certainly be in the near future as the situation that had developed in the country after the September 11 events in the US.

He stated that this was the time to work for the unity and streamlining the public opinion keeping in view the best interests of the country and the nation.

Sherpao stressed on restoration of the democratic system in the country. He said that all the parities took part in the local bodies elections and now it was incumbent upon them to make the system a success.