Taliban Power Base Remains Intact: Pakistan Officials

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Taliban Power Base Reminds Intact: Pakistani Officials

WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (PTI)--Mosques and religious seminaries across
Afghanistan that helped "spawn the Taliban" in the 1990s would
continue to serve as its power base, Pakistani officials have said.

Taliban's leaders still enjoy the support of 800 Afghan religious
scholars who helped them assume power, they were quoted as saying.

"Taliban came to power in the 1990s with support from Pakistan. Since
September 11, Pakistani government has supported US efforts in
Afghanistan, but many Pakistani officials remain sympathetic to the
Taliban movement," 'The Washington Post' noted.

Among many Taliban officials who apear to have made it into Pakistan,
the paper said, are Obaidullah Akhund, the Taliban's interior
minister; Akhter Mohammed Osmani, military cmmander in Kandahar;
Abdur Rahman Zahed, deputy foreign minister, and Anwar Dangar, a top
commander.

Pakistani officials privately acknowledged, said the paper, that
hundreds of Taliban fighters entered Pakistan through mountain passes
in recent weeks, seeking shelter in tribal areas and madrassas
(religious schools), particularly in Baluchistan and the northest
frontier province.
 
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