Top Story

  Editorial

  Metro

  Kashmir

  Business

  Sports

  Scoop

  Societal

  Health

    Cartoon

ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf has ruled out possibility of al-Qaeda or Taliban regrouping in Pakistani areas or posing any strategic threat.

'They are on the run and they are hiding,' he said in an interview with BBC's Asia Today programme aired Monday.

The President replied in negative when asked whether al-Qaeda could pose a threat. 'No they can't. Strategically they can't combine to pose a strategic threat,' he said.

The President said they were hiding in small pockets and were on the run in. 'They are not in communication with each other, they are not in contact with each other. So I don't at all think that a strategic threat can develop,' he added.

Tribal Areas

When asked about government's control over tribal areas, he said 'We have a fair amount of control. We have ingressed into the area for the first time in over a century.'

The President said of the seven tribal agencies there are no traces of al- Qaeda in six, apart from the South Waziristan agency. 'We have moved against them.. we have held number of operations and we are operating very strongly.'

Attempts on Life

Responding to a question on the attempts on his life, the President said that all those who were directly involved in the action have been roped in. The investigation was underway to get to the masterminds behind these assassination attempts.

However, the President added: 'We are reasonably sure that al-Qaeda was involved in initiating the process. But we are still seeing whether they were in collusion with an extremist group in Pakistan.'

He said that 'vulnerability is there - because I am stepping on a lot of toes -but we have to enhance our security measures which we have done and I am sure things will be alright.'

Probe against Nuke Scientists

To a question about the investigation of nuclear scientists, he agreed that they could have acted unilaterally without the knowledge of the government.

He said 'some unscrupulous individuals may have got involved. We are investigating that.' To a question that fingers were being pointed at Pakistan, President Musharraf said 'I take exception to this issue that fingers are pointing at Pakistan.' He said 'they are pointing at some individuals in Pakistan -as much as they are pointing at individuals in Europe.'

'So I don't know why people are talking of individuals of Pakistan only. What about the individuals in Europe? And I know that there have been firms in Europe who are involved in the fabrication of this equipment - this fabrication is - needs very high technology which is not available in (Pakistan).'

To a question about the result of investigation Musharraf said 'We will punish them. We are going to be very harsh with them because they are enemies of state. They have done something for personal financial gains.'

Kashmir Issue

About the developments between Pakistan and India and the freedom movement in Kashmir, President Musharraf said he has discussed everything with the Kashmiri leaders.

'I have discussed everything with the Kashmiri leaders who are in Pakistan... and there are some APHC representatives also in Pakistan now I have discussed everything with them and taken them on board.'

About the Kashmiri freedom-fighters, President said 'They are not under our control.'

Composite Dialogue

President Musharraf said the Joint Statement mentions that Kashmir is a dispute which needs to be resolved. 'A composite dialogue must start on all issues - including Kashmir - and that Pakistan is a party to it. Now all this combined creates certain environment which ... has improved the environment in Kashmir and between India and Pakistan.'

He said there was a need to move forward. 'We are going to ensure that there is no terrorism from Pakistan in any part of the world. At the same we have agreed that we have to move forward on Kashmir - now let us look ahead and not be talking of the past. Because there have been allegations and counter allegations on both sides. That they have been talking of cross border terrorism and we have been talking of state terrorism, human rights violations, atrocities against civilians. Let's leave that... aside and look forward to peace and harmonious existence.'

Al-Qaeda

To a question he said Al-Qaeda has nothing to do with Kashmir. He said there is no connection between al-Qaeda and the militants in Kashmir. 'Not at all - they are more on the western border... in Afghanistan and one of tribal agencies on our western border.'

He said 'We are operating in our tribal region against them... so they initiated this action. And you know of the threat that Zawahri gave against me.'

When asked about a solution on Kashmir, Musharraf said, 'Well we are not talking of solutions as yet. There are a number of solutions.... I have been talking of a four step solution...that we start talking first of all... accept the reality of Kashmir, secondly ... and then eliminate whatever is unacceptable to India, Pakistan and Kashmir. And then out of the balance go for a solution acceptable to all three. Now we need to go ahead on this.'

LoC

President Gen Pervez Musharraf added, 'Now when you talk of Line of Control being permanent, we have fought wars over this Line of Control. So a dispute cannot be a solution. Certainly not. But I have been saying that we need to move beyond stated positions and show flexibility ... then only we can reach some agreements.'

Flexibility

To a question Musharraf said 'I have been talking of flexibility which no leader ever spoke before and I have interacted myself with the political leadership, with the media, with the public representative and I know everyone - vast majority is on board.'

President said there has to be reciprocity by India to move forward to settle all outstanding disputes. 'It cannot be unilateral and I have made it very clear ...it just cannot be unilateral. There has to be reciprocity. We have to meet somewhere midway.'

Musharraf said, 'a solution somewhere midway, acceptable to India, Pakistan and Kashmir ... will be acceptable to a vast majority I know I don't have much of a problem in Pakistan, Indian leadership needs to see, I think the environment is the same there. The vast majority wants peace and harmony with Pakistan and they want a solution of all disputes. I think we have to be bold and go forward.'