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Pakistan President Warns Foreign Militant to Leave or Be Killed

By Benjamin Sand
Islamabad
23 March 2006

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf Thursday ordered all foreign militants out of the country or be killed. The president's demand comes as Pakistan faces intense international pressure to crack down on foreign insurgents operating within Pakistan's remote tribal areas.

President Musharraf gave his warning at a massive rally in the eastern city of Lahore marking the 100-year anniversary of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League.

"All foreign militants should leave Pakistan, otherwise they would be crushed," he said.

Musharraf accused foreign extremists of staging various acts of terrorism inside and outside the country.

Officials say more than 80,000 people cheered the president as he delivered his speech.

But many critics are questioning the timing and tenor of his address.

It is not the first time General Musharraf has issued this sort of ultimatum and it remains unclear what action, if any, may be taken as a result.

The president is facing mounting international pressure to crack down on militants operating inside Pakistan.

Afghan and U.S. officials claim Taleban insurgents have established bases in Pakistan's remote tribal areas.

Afghanistan has also repeatedly accused Islamabad of not doing enough to stop militants from launching cross border raids.

On Tuesday, Afghan soldiers reportedly killed at least 16 Pakistanis they claimed were Taleban insurgents, including at least two fairly senior commandos.

But Thursday Pakistani officials said the men were all innocent civilians. Thousands of outraged Pakistanis amassed near the border Thursday afternoon to help collect their bodies and chant anti-Afghan slogans.

In Islamabad, foreign ministry spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam says Pakistan has lodged a formal protest with the Afghan ambassador.

"We demand that a thorough investigation be conducted and those responsible be punished," she said.

Alsam claims the men were travelling through Afghanistan to celebrate a local holiday when they were detained in Kabul. They were handcuffed and brought to the border where they were shot.

True or not, the Afghan charges have provoked outrage across Pakistan, which until now has largely been on the defensive over border security.

Afghan officials say an investigation is under way and have promised to end the confusion surrounding the killings.