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WORLD> Asia-Pacific
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Military halts offensive in Pakistan for Ramadan
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-01 09:43 The escalated violence comes amid political turbulence. A united ruling coalition forced Pervez Musharraf, the longtime US ally in the war on terrorism, to quit the presidency on August 18. The coalition then rapidly fell apart over disputes about Musharraf's successor and how to reinstate judges he fired last year. Asif Ali Zardari, the head of the main ruling Pakistan People's Party and the widower of slain ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, is considered the favorite to win lawmakers' votes for the presidency on September 6. The People's Party is considered generally in line with US goals in fighting extremists, but because of deep anti-American sentiment in Pakistan, it has to tread carefully. Many Pakistanis blame the violence in their country on Musharraf's decision to support the US On Sunday, Malik insisted Pakistan was not taking American orders on how to fight extremists in its midst. "We are fighting this war. This is our war. There is no question of America's dictation," Malik said. Muslim Khan, a Taliban spokesman in Swat, said militants would not halt their activities during Ramadan regardless of whether the army suspended its operations there. "This is not a war, but jihad, and this is our faith that rewards for good deeds and that is multiplied during the holy month," Khan said. |
