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Karzai gave Perv most wanted list
Pakistan's law enforcement agencies have mounted a hunt for those wanted to the Afghan government on charges of terrorism and other anti-state activities.Quoting Pakistan's Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, a section of the Pakistani press confirmed President Hamid Karzai, during his three-day state visit to Islamabad, had handed over a list of wanted men to the Pakistani authorities. Addressing a press conference in Kabul, Karzai said he had handed over a list of wanted men to the Pakistan government and now awaiting their response. However, a spokesperson of Pakistan's foreign office did not confirm the handing over of any such list when asked for comments during her weekly press briefing last week. Quoting the minister, one of Pakistan's leading newspaper reported the government had received the list and the law enforcement agencies had mounted a search to pick up the alleged terrorists. "Yes, we have received a list of about 150 terrorists who are believed to be hiding in Pakistan," the minister confirmed. Referring to the handing over of the list, the Pakistani minister called it a routine matter. He said it was a routine matter because the two countries often exchanged lists of alleged terrorists believed to be hiding in either country. He said they had started work in light of the fresh list. Sherpao was evasive when asked about names of any prominent Taliban or al-Qaeda figure on the list. Tension between the two countries mounted in the wake of rising insurgency and the recent suicide bombings in Kandahar and other southern parts of Afghanistan. Several anti-Pakistan protest demonstrations were held in provinces led by governors, ulema and other prominent figures and tribal elders pressing the neighbouring country to stop harbouring and supporting Taliban. However, the Pakistani authorities, on the other hand, deny the charges, advocating their country itself was victim of terrorism. They say more than 70,000 troops had been deployed to guard the 2,300 kilometres porous border and stop infiltration. Karzai's recent visit to Pakistan was viewed in that context to end the blame-game and boost cooperation between the two countries in fighting and rooting out terrorism from their respective lands and the region. Posted by: Dan Darling 2006-02-22 |
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