MADRID, April 26: President Pervez Musharraf has accused the Afghan government of “doing nothing to fight terrorism” and said that it is ‘losing the war’ against Taliban.
“Those who do nothing against terrorism, like (Afghan President Hamid) Karzai, are also the ones who criticise those who are fighting, like us,” Gen Musharraf told Spanish daily El Pais.
He denied accusations of President Karzai that Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mulla Mohammad Omar were in Pakistan, saying the two men were ‘probably’ holed up in Afghanistan.
“Those who say that the ISI helps the Taliban because we want a weak Afghanistan are liars,” President Musharraf said.
“They say these things to hide their shame because they are losing the war against the Taliban,” he said.
Gen Musharraf and Mr Karzai are scheduled to meet in Turkey next week.
President Musharraf said any attack by the US on Iran would fuel sectarian tension in Pakistan. “There would be an effect on Pakistan as well, with implications for religious sectarianism, from any operation against Shias in Iran, which Sunnis would suffer just as much,” he said.
“Most Pakistanis are anti-American, and that feeling would grow,” he said.
Addressing the students of Cardoba University, he called for early launching of dialogue among different civilisations and religions.
ELECTIONS: President Musharraf said he expects to be re-elected by the current assemblies ahead of general elections which he saw taking place in November, according to an interview with a Bosnian newspaper that will be published on Friday.
“Elections in Pakistan will be held, I think, in November,” said the general.
“They will be democratic and free and all parties will be able to take part,” he said before starting this week’s four-leg European tour.
“I expect the political grouping that supports me to win again, although my mandate will be extended in September or October in the parliament,” he said in remarks.—Agencies
