Musharraf Admits Al-Qaeda-Link Terrorists Hiding In Tribal Areas

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has admitted for the first time that dreaded terrorists having links with Al-Qaeda have been hiding in tribal areas situated on Pak-Afghan border.

According to reports from Lahore, addressing the participants of 88th National Management Course (BPS-18) and 3rd Senior NMC (BPS-19 and above) at National Management College President Pervez Musharraf has said that foreigners especially the Uzbeks and Afghans having links with Al-Qaeda are hiding in Pakistan's tribal belt and mountainous areas and they not only carry out terrorism on our soil but are also resource providers for such activities.

The President said Pakistan is today faced with internal security threats emanating from terrorism and extremism.

He said that Pakistan does not have any offensive designs against anyone and is at peace, which is its strength.

Musharraf said the militant Taliban are also facilitating the terror acts as they have links with these foreigners.

The third major threat, he observed, is spread of Talibanization beyond tribal areas to Swat and southern parts of NWFP.

Another factor hampering the country's development is extremism within the society, he said, pointing out that custodians of Lal Masjid had tried to impose their will on the masses through force.

In Balochistan, there are elements who have separatist tendency such as BLA, he said, adding that separatism would never be allowed.

The President said, "We have to chalk out long-term strategy to address these grave problems."

The government had tried to settle the Balochistan issue politically and through socio-economic development, he said and asserted that mega development projects had been undertaken in the province to ensure welfare and prosperity of its people.
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