Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan has said that Pakistan cannot withdraw force from its eastern border along India beyond a certain point. "We don't have enough forces to fight extremists in Swat, Bajaur, Bunair and other places," he said while delivering a lecture on 'Vision for Pakistan in 21st Century' at the Jamia Millia Islamia here.
"If we are satisfied that our eastern borders are safe, then we can move our forces to fight against inimical elements with full might," Asfandyar Wali observed. He favoured a regional solution to Af-Pak problems and apprehended that these might otherwise spill over to India. He said invaders who have crossed Peshawar have always reached Kolkata. "If you have to stop Taliban, extremists or al Qaeda, help us to finish them across Indus River. Otherwise, India is not a target too far."
ANP President categorically dismissed the suggestion that Pakistan Army was not targeting groups inimical to India and said it was fighting against Lashkar-e-Taiba cadres in Waziristan. "Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani is a sincere person who supports peaceful ties with India," he stated. Asfandyar favoured a joint intelligence and information sharing mechanism against terrorists. For the resolution of issues of Kashmir and water, he said, " the best way is to talk and settle them as per a give and take formula."