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Pak minister hints at ban
on extremist outfits

Ahead of a much awaited speech of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, a minister has hinted that the general may talk of banning religious extremists and sectarian groups and imposing curbs on raising of funds for jehadi causes.

Federal Religious Minister Mehmud Ahmed Ghazi said that as per the new policy to be outlined by his government, "all those groups or individuals who are killing each other in the name of Islam and are sitting in judgement on others are religious extremists."

Ghazi, a senior minister in Musharraf's cabinet, was quoted by the Dawn daily as saying that in Kashmir there "is purely an indigenous struggle to which Pakistan is providing moral and diplomatic support. But no one has the right to undertake jehadi activities in the name of Kashmir's freedom."

"Moral and material support to Kashmir refugees is okay but beyond that if some individuals are promoting activities against the stated policy of the government, they cannot be condoned," he said.

The minister claimed that there was no Pakistani organisation engaged in jehad across the border. "If someone (is) raising funds for such an activity, he is not doing any good to the country."

PTI

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