from hindustan times.
Islamic alliance warns of civil war if Musharraf helps US
against Afghan Taliban
Amir Zia (AP)
Rawalpindi(Pakistan), September 19
A powerful alliance of Islamic parties warned Pakistan's
president on Wednesday that cooperation with the United States in its hunt for
Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden could plunge the country into civil war.
"Pakistan army will be the target of public wrath and
hatred if the military-led government allows American troops in
the country to attack our Islamic neighbour," said Maulana Samiul Haq, leader
of the Afghan Defense Council.
The council, which is a collection of 35 Pakistani
religious and militant organisations, was established several months ago
to support Afghanistan's Taliban, following United Nations economic sanctions
imposed last January to press an earlier US demand for the extradition of bin
Laden.
The United States also wants bin Laden in connection with
the 1998 twin bombings of two US Embassies in East Africa.
"The arrival of American soldiers in Pakistan could
destabilize the country and plunge it into a civil war like Algeria," he said.
The warning came as President Gen Pervez Musharraf won
praise from the United States for his promise of "unconditional" support in the
fight against terrorism following the devastating attacks of September 11 in
New York and Washington
.
The alliance also called a nationwide strike and rallies on
Friday, the Islamic sabbath.
"We will continue our protests until the government changes
its decision," Haq told reporters. "And if our Afghan brethren announces jihad
(holy war) against America, we would also be forced to announce jihad," he
said.
Islamic and militant parties, many of whom are heavily
armed, have already held several demonstrations in major Pakistani cities. On
Wednesday, police arrested several people for staging an anti-US demonstration.
Many radical Islamic parties are staunch supporters of the
Taliban and want to enforce a Taliban-like harsh version ofIslam in Pakistan.
The religious groups have large followings in the country's
conservative northwest frontier and southwestern Baluchistan province, which
are on Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Oct 02 2001 - 00:00:05 EDT