General President Pervez Musharraf in his recent speech to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament explained Pakistan's policies towards the Taliban and also Pakistan- based terrorist groups. In the speech he has raised some regrettable and disturbing issues.

1. General Musharraf differentiated between the Taliban and Al Qaheda; and has described the Taliban as more dangerous than Al Qaheda. In his view the former enjoys broad support among the Afghan people.

2. General Musharraf associated the Taliban with the Pashtuns.

There is a universal recognition both in Afghanistan and around the world, that the Taliban movement was created by the ISI of Pakistan as a military-political movement. The Taliban have an organic link with terrorist networks who still threaten Afghanistan's security and world peace. As with before, the Taliban continue to receive supports from outside Afghanistan. Such support is the only factor that helps them to inflict damage and suffering upon Afghanistan.  

Based on the other side of the Durand line, there are distinct entities which provide motivation, training, equipments, financial support and sanctuary for the Taliban who are seeking to reverse the course of developments of Afghanistan towards peace, democracy and institutionalization of human rights.

Associating the Pashtuns with the Taliban is an affront to a community who is eager to establish security and sustainable stability all over Afghanistan, the prerequisites for the reconstruction of the country and the welfare of all Afghan citizens.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan expresses its profound regret over Pres. Musharraf's attempt to attribute a murderous group and the enemy of peace to one of the ethnic groups living on the both sides of the Durand line.

As with the rest of Afghan ethnic groups and people of the region, the Pashtuns have been victims of terrorism. Such unfriendly assertions are far from truth; and are contrary to Pres. Musharraf's recent commitment to the people of Afghanistan which was pledged in Kabul.

The Ministry expects the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to sincerely uphold their public commitments to the people of Afghanistan and the international community in fighting terrorism and extremism; and to avoid expressing false assertion which aim to mislead the international community.

Spokesman's Office Kabul – Afghanistan
September 13, 2006