Pakistan Rejects allegations of new training compounds by Taliban
By Maria A Khan 'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tuesday rejecting allegations of establishing new compounds by Al-Qaeda in tribal areas for training reiterated its commitment to take all possible measures to counter the threat of talibanization and extremism.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Ms Tasnim Aslam said, “We are taking all measures, in our own interest, to counter the threat of Talibanization and extremism.”

She said, “Pakistan is also firmly committed not to allow its territory to be used for militancy and violence against Afghanistan.”

“We are fully cooperating in this regard with NATO and Afghan forces,” she said.

The Spokesperson as regards North Waziristan agreement stated that Pakistan is addressing the problem of Talibanization and extremism in some of the Tribal agencies comprehensively which combines military action with political and administrative measures besides socio economic programme.

She said, “We continue to keep the implementation of North Waziristan agreement under review and would plug all shortcomings and take firm action where needed to ensure full compliance.”

The spokesperson said, “We, however, strongly reject aspersions against authorities in Pakistan and their commitment to combat the menace of extremism and terrorism as well as to help Afghanistan re-establish peace and stability.”

In response to a question relating to a reported statement by Governor NWFP Aurakzai, and a press statement issued from Kabul on February 18, the Spokesperson stated that the Kabul statement is based on distorted report of what the Governor NWFP had said to a delegation of foreign journalists who recently visited Peshawar and North Waziristan.

She said, during this meeting, the Governor had mentioned what militant Taliban were saying to win the sympathies of Afghan population living in Southern and Eastern Afghanistan. Some reports had wrongly presented this as assessment and views of the Governor himself, she clarified.

The spokesperson said the phenomenon of Talibanization is a common threat to Pakistan and Afghanistan. She added “No one should have any doubt about our commitment and will to fight terrorism and extremism.”

The Spokesperson said, “We have deployed more than 80,000 troops along with our border with Afghanistan and maintain nearly 1,000 military posts on the border.”

“More than 700 of our troops have lost their lives. We are taking further steps to control the border starting with selective fencing,” she said.

Ms Tasnim said, “We are also seeking international assistance to remove refugee camps located close to the border to deny any hideouts to militant Taliban who are also Afghans.”

It is important that Pakistan as well as the NATO and Afghan forces maintain close cooperation to counter the common danger of terrorism and extremism, she added.

The Spokesperson said, however, it must be emphasized that the problems of Afghanistan have to be addressed inside Afghanistan. Pakistan is doing whatever is needed to prevent any support from its bordering areas to Taliban or extremists inside Afghanistan, she added.●