ID :
14477
Thu, 07/31/2008 - 19:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/14477
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Facing US heat, Pak blames India, Afghanistan for unrest
Islamabad, July 31 (PTI) Facing intense U.S. pressure to act against militants thriving in its restive tribal region, Pakistani has blamed India and Afghanistan for stirringtrouble in its northwestern areas and Balochistan province.
Ruling Pakistan People's Party (P.P.P.)leader Rehman Malik, who functions as the interior minister and is a confidant of party chief Asif Ali Zardari, appealed to Pakistan's western allies, including the U.S., to stop Indiaand Afghanistan's alleged activities.
"India wants to destabilise F.A.T.A. (Federally Administered Tribal Areas). What India and (Afghan President Hamid) Karzai are doing must stop. They must stop this," hetold reporters in Washington Wednesdayday.
Malik, who was a member of the delegation accompanying Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on his visit to the US, also blamed India for indulging in "baseless propaganda" againstPakistan though the country itself was a victim of terrorism.
"The time has come for us to reveal the facts and tell the world how outside forces are creating troubles inPakistan," he said.
Asked to identify these "outside forces", he named India, Afghanistan's Northern Alliance, Chechens and Uzbeks who he said were using Pakistan to serve their vestedinterests.
Though Pakistan has always blamed foreign hands for stirring trouble in Balochistan and the North West Frontier Province, this is the first time since the February 18 election that a senior government official has blamed Indiafor fomenting unrest in the country.
During his three-day visit, Gilani was pressed by the US leadership to go after the Taliban and Al Qaeda militants who have found a safe haven in Pakistan's tribal areasbordering Afghanistan.
Malik alleged that India and Afghanistan had direct links to people like Baloch nationalist leader Barhamdagh Bugti and "one call from outside leads to the death of fourpeople in Balochistan".
Asked if his comments were on the record, he said: "Yes, I am not afraid of anyone."
Ruling Pakistan People's Party (P.P.P.)leader Rehman Malik, who functions as the interior minister and is a confidant of party chief Asif Ali Zardari, appealed to Pakistan's western allies, including the U.S., to stop Indiaand Afghanistan's alleged activities.
"India wants to destabilise F.A.T.A. (Federally Administered Tribal Areas). What India and (Afghan President Hamid) Karzai are doing must stop. They must stop this," hetold reporters in Washington Wednesdayday.
Malik, who was a member of the delegation accompanying Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on his visit to the US, also blamed India for indulging in "baseless propaganda" againstPakistan though the country itself was a victim of terrorism.
"The time has come for us to reveal the facts and tell the world how outside forces are creating troubles inPakistan," he said.
Asked to identify these "outside forces", he named India, Afghanistan's Northern Alliance, Chechens and Uzbeks who he said were using Pakistan to serve their vestedinterests.
Though Pakistan has always blamed foreign hands for stirring trouble in Balochistan and the North West Frontier Province, this is the first time since the February 18 election that a senior government official has blamed Indiafor fomenting unrest in the country.
During his three-day visit, Gilani was pressed by the US leadership to go after the Taliban and Al Qaeda militants who have found a safe haven in Pakistan's tribal areasbordering Afghanistan.
Malik alleged that India and Afghanistan had direct links to people like Baloch nationalist leader Barhamdagh Bugti and "one call from outside leads to the death of fourpeople in Balochistan".
Asked if his comments were on the record, he said: "Yes, I am not afraid of anyone."
