October 22, 2008	Wednesday	Shawwal 22, 1429

WASHINGTON, Oct 21: Former interior minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao acknowledged on Tuesday that the previous government had failed in curbing terrorism.

“If our anti-terrorism policy had succeeded, we would not be facing this dangerous situation,” said Mr Sherpao when asked if the previous government had failed to stamp out terrorism.

Mr Sherpao told a news conference in Washington that Pakistan was facing “a catch-22 situation, you cannot fight terrorism without economic prosperity but there can be no prosperity as long as terrorism is there”.

The former interior minister, however, rejected the suggestion that raiding the Red Mosque was a mistake. “We gave them six months to give up their activities and surrender,” he recalled. “We involved Wafaqul Madaaris. We involved the imam of Kaaba. But nothing worked.”

Mr Sherpao urged the new government to evolve a national policy for fighting terrorism. “First, there has to be cohesion within the ruling alliance. Build up consensus within the parliament. Then invite other parties and religious leaders for talks,” he said.

Mr Sherpao said a policy evolved through such a process could be forcefully implemented and could bring peace.

The former minister also acknowledged that the military option alone could not resolve the crisis the country was facing. “They have to engage with the militants. Talk to them. Find a way out.”

Mr Sherpao said the United States opposed such a process but the time had come for Pakistan to put its national interests ahead of other concerns.

The former minister noted that the present government was already talking to the militants, including Baitullah Mehsud, as the previous government did. “And I think such talks should continue.”

He said the terrorists had several pockets in the Frontier, including in his own constituency where “they have complete control over Shabqadar”.

The terrorists, he said, also had spread to Karachi.

Mr Sherpao said Pakistan had to fight the war on terrorism because it was located in area where it could not do otherwise.

Mr Sherpao also rejected the suggestion that the previous government was responsible for the current economic crisis in Pakistan.

“Look at the stock exchange, the dollar-rupee parity, the growth rate,” he said. “The meltdown started after we left.”