PESHAWAR, June 15: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad has denied the existence of Al-Qaeda organisation, saying that the United States has created a factitious story to ensure the presence of US forces in the region.

He flayed the statement of the US defence secretary for having claimed that Al-Qaeda fighters were operating in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.  

JI chief, in a statement issued here on Saturday, said that on the pretext of fighting terrorism, the Americans were planning for permanent stay in South Asia. US presence in the region was posing a threat to Pakistan’s nuclear programme, he added.

JI chief, condemning the government external policies, alleged that President Gen Musharraf had surrendered himself to the US pressure and the army chief was also giving statements against Jihad (the holy war).

He pledged support to the Kashmiris and freedom fighters, and said the nation would also continue its support to the people of the Valley.