Apparently apprehensive of an anti-Pakistan force assuming power in Afghanistan, President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday pitted its support behind former king Zahir Shah, saying there seemed to be no alternative. The people of Afghanistan need to find their leader themselves. The figure-head king Zahir Shah may be an acceptable single leader at the moment. There is no other alternative visible at the moment, the Pakistan president said in an interview.
To a question on ISI support to Taliban, he said, “Although his country had association with the Islamic militia of Afghanistan it does not mean that they listen to us and we control everything”. Asked whether he feared threats from extremist elements in the country following his support to the US-led coalition against the Taliban, Musharraf said his staff was more concerned on this aspect.
He said there were only a few extremists and these elements could be dangerous.
Even one individual can cause danger, he added.
On the international fears that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal could fall into the hands of extremists and fundamentalists, Musharraf said he was confident that nothing of that sort would happen. “We have a control and command arrangement. We have evolved an effective system and these arsenal are in custodial control,” he said, adding the nuclear weapons were in safe hands.
Bureau Report