Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Any Pakistan-Taliban deal means strengthening extremism

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, April 26, IRNA -- Any agreement between Pakistan and Taliban can strengthen extremist tendencies and have negative consequences for both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Expressing this, former Iranian ambassador to Afghanistan, Mohammad Reza Bahrami told IRNA that extremism developed in Pakistan when it gained momentum in Afghanistan in the past decade.

Some believe that extremism can serve as a tool for achieving political goals, he said, maintaining that such as analysis is dangerous.

Any deal with the extremist groups will provide them with an opportunity to strengthen themselves and prepare for pursuing expansionist goals in the future, Bahrami contended.

At present, development of ties between the Afghan and Pakistani extremist groups has given a rise to riots.

Commenting on the upcoming elections in Afghanistan as well as rumors about Washington's dissatisfaction with Karzai and possibility of Zalmai Khalilizad running for the race, he noted that according to the country’s constitution, the nominees should have Afghan origin and having dual nationality is not acceptable.

Registration for the elections started on April 25 and is to continue until May 8.

The best way to maintain stability in Afghanistan is to help hold transparent elections in the country and respect the Afghans’ choice, Bahrami said.

Promoting security in the country can help solve many of the problems facing the people, he said.

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End News / IRNA / News Code 455218