ANKARA, March 10: Turkey’s military chief on Monday warned that Pakistan’s political turmoil and violence by extremists could open the way for the Taliban to seize control of the country and its nuclear weapons.

Gen Yasar Buyukanit, speaking at an international terrorism conference organised by the military in Ankara, said Pakistan’s leaders should be given strong support to guard against such an outcome.

I hope Pakistan reaches stability in a short time, Buyukanit told the conference.

In particular, Buyukanit spoke of concern that if President Pervez Musharraf lost his grip on the country, Pakistan could fall into the hands of a resurgent Taliban.

On Sunday, Musharraf’s political opponents, who dominated Feb 18 elections, agreed to form a government, heightening expectations that the unpopular Musharraf could be on the way out.

Buyukanit said an institution like the Taliban could control Pakistan if the current administration becomes ineffective and this could result in a terrorist organisation gaining control of nuclear arms for the first time.

—AP