PESHAWAR, Oct 8: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has supported the idea of a broad alliance of moderate forces floated by President Pervez Musharraf, terming it the only way to combat extremist forces.

Speaking at an Iftar-dinner which he hosted in honour of local journalists here on Saturday, Mr Sherpao said if the People’s Party Parliamentarians had belatedly realised the need to join hands with Gen Musharraf, it would be a good omen for the political future of the country. He said former prime minister was going to take the same step after an ordeal of 11 years what his friends had done earlier.

He said President Musharraf had been trying to rally the liberal and moderate forces on one platform.

The minister said his party was part of the coalition and enjoying good working relations with the Pakistan Muslim League and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

“Our alliance will remain intact during the next general elections. We can make an adjustment with like-minded parties in the NWFP,” he said.

He said the political alliance would mainly depend on circumstances.

He said a peaceful Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan and the government had been working towards the goal. “Our trade with Kabul is encouraging. Why Pakistan would try to destabilise Afghanistan as being alleged by some quarters in the media. We have provided all kinds of support to Afghanistan,” he said.

He said Pakistan had deployed 80,000 troops along the border to stop the movement of extremists.

He said that after restoration of normalcy Afghan refugees would return to Afghanistan and both the countries would make efforts to resolve the pipeline issue.

He said the Indian government had responded in a positive tone about bilateral ties.