Taliban assassinated Benazir for challenging their writ: Zardari

Lahore, June 13 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed because she challenged the writ of the Taliban.

In a television address to the nation, Zardari said Bhutto's loss has made him realize the pain of families who have been a victim of terrorism.Zardari said the military operation launched against the Taliban and other extremists is fully backed by the people of the country.

"These people kill the innocent; excavate bodies from graves and disgrace them, bomb mosques and houses, kill doctors for vaccinating children against polio, and want to capture the institutions of the country by terrorizing people," The Daily Times quoted Zardari, as saying.

Terming the ongoing military offensive in the Swat Valley as the 'war for the country's survival', Zardari said the security forces would continue to fight till extremism was rooted out from the region completely and peace is established there.

"This war is for the survival of our country. We have to win this war at every cost," he said.

Zardari also announced that a military cantonment would be established in Swat in order to prevent the Taliban from resurfacing in the region.

He said that the government was aware of the difficulties that the thousands of displaced people were facing, and added that authorities were trying hard to provide all necessary help to the refugees, who have taken shelter in different camps.

"We will not leave the people of Swat alone in this difficult hour," said Zardari. (ANI)