All Taliban are not terrorists: Musharraf

Kabul, Aug 13: Asserting that the Taliban are a part of Afghan society, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said that most of them may be ignorant and misguided, but all of them are not terrorists.

"We must understand the environment. Taliban are a part of Afghan society. Most of them may be ignorant and misguided, but all of them are not diehard militants and fanatics, who even defy the most fundamental values of our culture and our faith Islam," Musharraf said in his address to the concluding session of the Pak-Afghan Peace Jirga.

To root out al Qaeda and Taliban militants from the region, Musharraf called for a more comprehensive long-term strategy along with military action.

"Talibanisation and extremism... represent a state of mind and require a more comprehensive long-term strategy where military action must be combined with a political approach and socio-economic development," he said.

"Our approach must be focussed on isolating those diehard militants who reject reconciliation and peace. Here, it is a question of winning hearts and minds," he added.

The Daily Times quoted him as saying that the success of the Afghan Jirga delegates in achieving peace in their country would "depend on political engagement and understanding in reaching out to the people".

A joint declaration by Afghanistan and Pakistan vowed to pursue "an extended, tireless and persistent campaign against terrorism" and not to allow terrorists sanctuaries or training centres on their soil.

Terming the declaration as a "stepping stone" towards peace, Musharraf said, "Along with Afghanistan, Pakistan has also witnessed the rise of militancy and violence attacking our society. We cannot remain mired in the past."

Admitting that there was support from the Pakistani tribal areas for the insurgency in Afghanistan and extremism, he said Islamabad understood it had a "solemn responsibility" to fight against such influences.

ANI>