KARACHI, Nov 14: Political and religious leaders, on Wednesday, termed the taking over of Afghan capital and other cities by the forces of Northern Alliance a serious threat to the security of Pakistan.
Speaking at an All-Parties Conference, organized by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam at Karachi Press Club, they deplored that despite the repeated assurances by United States, Kabul was captured by the Alliance forces.
They contended that the US never fulfilled its promises after achieving its objectives.
These leaders condemned the American bombardment on innocent Afghan people and asserted that it was a bigger act of terrorism than that of Sept 11 in the US.
In a joint declaration, the APC demanded halt to the military strikes on Afghanistan and asked for speeding up of relief activities under the United Nations.
It urged the government to play its role in saving thousands of Afghans in Kabul and other cities from being slaughtered by soldiers of the Northern Alliance.
Secretary general of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, Mairaj Mohammad Khan, said every act of barbarism, either against Muslims or non- Muslims, should be condemned. He said support by successive Pakistan governments to the US during the last 54 years has caused irreparable harm to the country.
“We have been trapped in a foreign debt of $38 billion. Despite full support by Pakistan to the US in its so-called war against terrorism, America has refused to write off the debt. On the other hand, Russia allowed India to purchase its hardware worth US$7 billion,” he stated.
He maintained that the American target was not to destroy Al- Qaeda network but to occupy oil and gas resources, worth US$5 trillion, in the Central Asian states.
Mr Khan warned the government that the country faced the risk of being the next US target if it failed to review its Afghan policy. After the downfall of the Taliban government, he added, Pakistan would have to spend heavy amount for the maintenance of security along its Afghanistan border.
He termed victory of the Northern Alliance in Kabul as the defeat of Pakistan’s foreign policy and appealed to the religious leaders to impart latest and technical education to their students at their Madressas.
Chief of Jamaat-i-Islami, Sindh, Asadullah Bhutto, expressed utter surprise over the silent attitude of the Human Rights organizations on the killing of innocent Afghans by the soldiers of Northern Alliance.
He sarcastically posed a question to the US whether it has any plan to attack and perish the network of Al-Qaeda spread over some 40 more countries, including those in Europe.
PML-N leader Mamnoon Hussain criticized the government for extending support to the US without taking the nation into confidence.
He strongly opposed the establishment of any broad-based government in Afghanistan, adding that any set-up against the wishes of the Afghans would make the situation even worse.
He said Pakistan by supporting the US-led allies’ forces had exposed its borders to a grave danger but despite all its cooperation it failed to yield benefits from the situation, which has now assumed a critical proportion.
He demanded immediate election in the country as a political government would have the ability to deal with any eventuality.
Allama Hasan Turrabi, central leader of Tehrik-i-Jafarya Pakistan, opposed the government’s new slogan — Pakistan First — and said that Islam must be given fist priority than anything else as Pakistan was created in the name of Islam.
Central leader of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Maulana Asad Thanvi, held the view that India has deep penetration into the ranks of Northern Alliance.
He recalled various past events when many super powers had to face humiliation after trying to take over Kabul.
Secretary general, Mohajir Qaumi Movement, Amir Khan, denounced desecration of bodies of Taliban soldiers in Kabul and other cities of Afghanistan.
He stressed upon the politico-religious leaders to get united on one platform to safeguard the interests of the country.
Others who spoke on the occasion included chairman Pakistan Democratic Party, Mushtaq Mirza; Jamiat-i-Ulema-i- Pakistan leader Hafiz Mohammad Taqi; central leader of Sipah Sahaba-i- Pakistan, Ilyas Zubair; PML (Q)’s Khan Aman Ullah; chairman, Muttahida Ulema Forum, Maulana Ferozuddin; Pakistan Islamic Forum’s chief, Alhaj Shamimuddin; leader of Sawad-i-Azam Pakistan, Mufti Usman Yar Khan, and chief of Markazi Jamiat-i- Ahle Hadis, Allama Rashid.—PPI
