Zardari: Taliban’s Policies Pose Greater Threat than Pre-Sep/11 Era

DID Press: Asif Ali Zardari, president of Pakistan, warned that the growing terrorist threats emanating from Afghan soil are now greater than those seen before the 9/11 attacks, attributing these dangers to the Taliban’s policies.

In a sharp statement against the Taliban, Zardari stated that the group’s actions have led to a situation in Afghanistan that is “similar to or even worse than the pre-9/11 era.” He further warned that the terrorist groups based in Afghanistan not only threaten Pakistan’s security but also pose a risk to global peace.

Zardari made these remarks in the wake of a terrorist attack on a mosque in Islamabad, which resulted in 36 deaths and over 160 injuries. The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack.

In his response to the incident, Zardari called some neighboring countries “accomplices,” accusing them of allowing terrorist groups to operate and even providing financial and military support to these groups, which he claimed were acting against Pakistan.

He also brought India into the discussion, accusing New Delhi of collaborating with the Taliban—a charge that had previously been raised by Pakistan’s defense and interior ministers, who had attributed the Islamabad attack to “proxy forces supported by India.”

In conclusion, Zardari emphasized that combating terrorism is beyond the capacity of any single country, and he urged the Taliban to prevent terrorist group activities within Afghanistan’s borders.