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Now, Pakistan was engaged in a battle to survive against the Taliban's growing threat, Zardari said in an interview to CBS television network.
"(The Taliban) do have a presence in huge amounts of land in our side. Yes, that is the fact," he said.
Once confined to the country's tribal area bordering Afghanistan, from where they carried out strikes against the US-led coalition forces in the war-torn country, the Taliban had extended their influence in Pakistan's inland to cities like Peshawar and the Swat Valley, Zardari said.
The Taliban, he said, had been taken for granted for a long time. "It's been happening over time and it's happened out of denial. Everybody was in denial."
Many thought they were weak and they would not be able to take over or challenge the government, Zardari said. As a result, the forces to challenge them were not increased. But "we have weaknesses and they are taking advantage of that weakness," he said in a yet-to-be telecast interview, excerpts of which were released by the CBS.
Zardari's remarks follow US President Barack Obama's assertion that "safe havens" for Taliban and al-Qaeda would not be allowed in Pakistan.
Zardari, who is battling public opinion in Pakistan where most citizens believe that the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda was America's war their government was fighting by proxy, said: We're not doing anybody a favour."
"We are aware of the fact ... Taliban... (is) trying to take over the state of Pakistan," he said. "So, we're fighting for the survival of Pakistan. We're not fighting for the survival of anybody else."
Zardari said he was determined to prevail. "I lost my wife (former premier Benazir Bhutto) to it (terrorism). My children's mother ... It's important to stop them and make sure that it doesn't happen again and they don't take over our way of life," he said. "That's what they want to do."
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The Taliban must take over Pak. That will be enough opportunity and provocation for the US and NATO to invade Pak and put an end to all the threats and menaces emanating from the area.
The US should supplement drone attacks with additional military force and root out the Taliban, otherwise what happened in Swat will soon spread to all areas of Pakistan. I feel ashamed as a Pakistani and Muslim with the interpretation of Sharia law as put forward by the Taliban.
Pakistan should let U.S.A fight Taliban in Pakistan. Otherwise, Pakistan is finished. U.S.A should make serious efforts to counter Taliban in Pakistan to make their war in Afghanistan succeed.
These pakistani "state" and "Non state actors" are really protecting each other. Even Under Intense International pressue, It took almost two months for pakistan to admit even a single fact about involvement of her men in Mumbai carnage. Pakistani leaders are in the habbit of getting "fresh bread" and "butter" from USA in the name of development of underserved areas, and they need "arms" from western countries to actually destroy India in the disguise of fighting "home made terror". next question is that whom these so called state actors try to appease when they oppose Strikes inside pakistan? Why don't they develop their own areas with their own money? They willingly project "home made terror" as a "monster" to gain billions in charity. They somehow manage to get billions in donations from USA. pakistani leaders are successful in projecting to the world that it is the duty of USA to uplift poor people on pakistani soil in order to make them move away from path of terrorism?
this is one more ploy by cunning pakistanies crying WOLF so that they can get more money and arms from their donors-stupid Americans.And look at the peaceniks in India.they are out in the streets like Gandhi who very foolishly went on a fast to force GOI o give Pakistan 55 crores in 1948 when Pak army was kiling our soldiers in Kashmir.
Just another Pakistani ploy to scare the west so the dollars keep pouring in. Obama is no Bush and Pakistani honeymoon with American freebees is already over.
Mr 10% it does not really matter , whether you rule or the army rules or the Taliban rules . All of you are together in this . The army lets you be the front and it can do what it wants and the Taliban will do their dirty work and the army can keep getting arms and also milk the economy . You pakis are the dumbest creatures in the world . why revolution has taken place their is a mystery
What a joke... is as simple as pakistan now need money...that is simple n hamble truth..by naming taliban zardari just bagging in fornt of world special america so, Mr Obma can give them more money...Tailiban n pakistan is synonyms...
The real storey is that ISI and Pakistan army has destroy pak by simply helping these terrorist group indirectly. But US is not convinced till date. The dual roll played by ISI and army will lead pak into hell.
Time has come for pakistan to fight terrorism on the ground and not just getting money in the name of "factitious fight" against terror. Pakistan must be thankful to USA when drones strike targets inside pakistan as USA is doing pakistan's job, if Islamabad was serious in fighting terrorism? When zardari and others oppose US strikes then who are they addressing to? none other than their so called "Non state actors"? Why they have to oppose US action? Are they afraid of terrorists? or infact they support these elements but are afraid to say so because of fear from only super power of the world?
The whole world knows that, Obama and Co has come to realize that no amount of money or military hardware can save Pakistan, unless and untill Pakistan act on its jahadhi anti India and America child,nurtured by Pakistan army and its ISI branch.THE BIG QUESTION NOW IS,'"who is going to bell the cat."
i simly love this for the choice of words and for its reflection of reality.
This is a new spin being given to garner sympathy, aid and to wriggle out of the tight spot that Pakistan finds itself in after 26/11. Nobody repeat nobody is now buying their theories of freedom fighters and Pakistan not being involved in Terror.Pakistan has the tiger by its tail, if it lets go it will finish it, incase they continue then also it is doomed. For 60years you viewed India thru a single prism, bleeding India by 1000 cuts sounded good to all, long term costs were not factored in. This pay up time and rightly so.Pakistan should officially declare itself a failed state, lest the world calls it so.Hope you will realize what you can gain by co-operating with India. May better sense prevail now.Before it is too late for the people of Pakistan. India will pay a price by virtue of being the immediate neighbour.
Is pakistani leaders really in a mood to defeat terrorism or just getting money in the name of "factitious fight" against terror. is Islamabad serious in fighting terrorism? When zardari and others oppose US strikes then who are they addressing to? none other than their so called "Non state actors"? Why they have to oppose US action? Are they afraid of terrorists? or infact they support these elements but are afraid to say so because of fear from only super power of the world?
These comments are clearly to respond to Ms. Clintons remarks about conditional giving of money to Pakistani Government. Mr. Zardari is just trying to get money from USA by saying Taliban now entered the cities, well this is not new. His broader plan is to use the money to build up military against India. Pakistani military is used to receiving money and they don't like this conditional grants and hence the change of rhetoric.
Taliban is trying to take over Pakistan: Zardari Now that Pakistan is officially a failed state, as per this declaration. Its the right time for United States and Great Britain and international forces to disarm and set right the area by taking over and re-colonising Pakistan for few centuries.Thanks
Zardari belated admission reminds proverbial saying " If you dig hole for other, you will fall first". Will this realisation to Zardari make him wiser even now? very doubtful indeed. Pak leaders must mend their ways and focus on right policies aiming to ameliorate the conditions of poor people instead of wasting money and risking lives of young people on Jihadism. Actually poverty has given birth to tribal cultures which can be neutrlaised by good governance only.
The ground reality is that Pakistan is no more under that name. It is TALIBAD or TAKISTAN. The destruction has already commenced. In a matter of another 25 years, the nation will mostly be non-existent or be taken over by Terror Weilders. The time bomb was made and planted by the partisan politicians and extreme elements within the country. We can only Sympathise with the system and the people.
Zardari dont worry if BJP comes to power we in India will have our own version of ramsena Taliban. Next both can wage war against each other
Like the war they waged when Vajpayee invited Mush to Agra and paid for it in Kargil?
I agree with the title but get the facts straight. Mush was chief of Army at that time not the President.
First please contain your ISI and Army from getting Talebanised.; Shun anti India sentiments and Pakistan will be happy.
Pakistan Army combined with ISI is Taliban. So, it is difficult for the Pak Government to control Taliban at the present scenario. Pak has become a threat world peace.
Mr Zardari is late in admitting Taliban's influence in Pakistan. It is only after the US President and his emmissary has clearly stated this. Almost 50% of the Pakistan Govt establishment is under Taliban influence, besides the ulema and other religious bodies. Today he is telling that he lost his wife. But the fact is that by virtue of the death of Benazir, Zardari became President, which in no way he could have achieved with his image of Mr ten percent. Now what Mr Zardari can do to save the world, Pakistan and himself from the Taliban? Has he got the guts to declare a full scale ware against Taliban and other terrorist elements inside Pakistan like LeT, Hizbul Mujahidn, Jaish and numerous other groups and above all Al-Qaida.. If he is sincere and honest then he should take head on with these groups with the support of US and others. Else in another one year or so, Taliban will rule Pakistan. The world is watching you Zardari.
Taliban is present in Lahore and Karachi which the president of Pakistan will not accept.The rise of Talban was the work of the Pakistani rulers in the previous years now they have grown bigger than the state there is no use in grumbling . The pakistan People are now getting the BENEFIT of what they SOWED some years back no one can help it. God is great.Your own creation is now in a position to finish you.
The Pakistani authorities,especially the President of Pakistan come to the correct conclusion that once their "loved terror baby" is now grown up "terror boy" who started playing with his family with "gun,rocket,AKs, granides and even with nuclear arms,better not than latter.Of course all the political leaders and Military bossesof Pakistan history were fully responsible for the current situation in Pakistan,but we can single out one man who is the most responsible man for the today's Pakistan, is Genl, Parvesh Mushraf who should be punished along with the Talibans,Al-Quida's,LeT'sand all other Terrorist Organisations in Pakistan.As a neibougher we are also have some responsiblity,to protect Pakistan from its destruction.If Pakistan is defeated by the terrorists,India will not be safe.So Indian authorities should help Pakistan along with USA and its partners to save the country from the hands of terrorists.
Sure let us help them - on the condition they give up all claims on Kashmir. They should stop aiding and abetting the insurgency by sending in trained terrorists and then calling them "freedom fighters".
Great! Taliban and al-Qaeda with nukes. What a cheerful thought.
Taliban monster was given birth and nourished by Pakistan for a very long time. But now saying they are hurting them. Actually they are not listening to their tunes. THAT IS IT. This is applicable to US also.
Hello Mr. ZardariPak Army (including ISI), Taliban, Let, Jud, Jais-e-M, Dawood Ibrahim (drug smulggler and extortionist) and a number of others in your Government including your foriegn minister and PM are all same - and the world knows it. Pakistan is already taken over - all the poor civilians who want to make a decent living, the children and college students will all soon end up joining jihad and suicide bombers, whether you and the rest of the world likes it or not - that is the unforunate situation - which has become more accute with each pasisng day because al q and taliban and others mentioned being given safe haven in Pak. Also milking the US and UK and others in the name of being an ally on terror war and doing the opposite is fooling the world - you cannot fool all the people all the time. So the end is fast approaching, i suppose.