Taliban chief presence in SW Pakistan denied
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Aug 4, IRNA -- A senior Pakistani government official told the US envoy Thursday that Taliban chief Mulla Mohammad Omar is not in southwestern Balochistan province which borders Afghanistan.
US media has been reporting that Mulla Omar and other members of Afghan Taliban are hiding in Balochistan.
A similar claim has also been made by top Afghan leaders.
While talking to the United States Ambassador Cameron Munter, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani also denied the existence of the Taliban council called as ‘Quetta Shura’.
The chief minister said some elements wanted to promote sectarianism in the province.
At least 18 Shia Muslims were shot dead by the suspected militants in two different attacks in Quetta over the past few days.
The Chief Minister called for a policy of reconciliation so that confrontation can be avoided. Raisani said a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan was in the best interest of the region.
Earlier, the US ambassador had said Balochistan was important for America and solving all problems of the province was its top priority.
Munter made the statement during a meeting with Balochistan Assembly speaker, Mohammad Aslam Bhotani in Quetta.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Munter said the US will continue to provide financial assistance for the completion of ongoing projects in Balochistan and would also ensure the establishment of new dams in the province.
The ambassador said that the US will help Pakistan in strengthening democracy.
Bhotani said that problems faced in the education sector, water issues and Gwadar’s poor road network were discussed during the meeting.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30507246
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