Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Tuesday said Pakistan had a multi-faceted strategy to fight terrorism and extremism in the country.
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua at the Presidential House here, Musharraf said that Pakistan would resolve the issue of terrorism and extremism through a multi-faceted strategy, which involved military, negotiations, socio-economic development and education.
Musharraf pointed out that many people did not understand the complexity of terrorism and extremism. "Terrorist is a man with weapon who will kill you if you do not kill them, so you have to eliminate them before they kill you," Musharraf said.
"Extremism is in people's mind and it is not easily known who is an extremist," he said, adding that people should deal with their mindset.
He said the picture of terrorism had been changing in Pakistan since 2001. Immediately after the 9.11 tragedy, the Taliban was almost finished and there was only the Al-Qaeda whom Pakistan had to act against.
The Al-Qaeda were in the cities, mountains and valleys of Pakistan, Musharraf said. "We acted against them and we have been able to subdue them to quite an extent while they were in hundreds, in every city of Pakistan," said Musharraf, adding that now the Al-Qaeda elements are not seen anywhere in Pakistan's cities.
He pointed out that the Al-Qaeda, who are now in mountains, had been joined by foreign elements and Pakistan had to address the new complexion of the problem.
"On the Taliban front, we have been again very successful in curtailing their operation, preventing their going across to Afghanistan to quite an extent," Musharraf said, "But they are still there."
It would be a long-term process for Pakistan to resolve the menace of terrorism and extremism, Musharraf stressed.
Source:Xinhua
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