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K J M Varma in Islamabad
Taleban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar has said that his regime was not a creation of Pakistan and their rejection of Islamabad's request to hand over terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden to the United States showed that the militia did not take orders from anyone.
"Those accusing me of being Pakistan's creation don't realise as to why the Pakistanis would ignore famous and powerful mujahideen commanders and instead select an unknown mullah like me hailing from the small village of Singesar to lead the Taleban Islamic Movement," Omar said in his address over Radio Kandahar on Wednesday night.
He said Islamabad's decision to change its Afghanistan policy by disassociating itself from the Taleban was a vindication of his oft-repeated assertions that the militia was not a creation of Pakistan.
Omar also appealed to the Afghans to prevent America's efforts to overthrow his government and foist a new one headed by former Afghan king Zahir Shah.
"There would be no compromise on sovereignty and self-respect of Afghanistan," he said.
Criticising Shah, the Taleban chief alleged that the monarch had paved the way for the communists to seize power.
He reminded the Afghans about the Soviet invasion and the subsequent turmoil in the country that claimed 1.5 million people.
Omar also said that Allah would help those Afghans who remained steadfast to Islam and its teachings.
He asked the people to prepare for war to uphold Afghanistan's sovereignty and live up to their reputation as a freedom-loving nation.
A copy of Omar's address in Pushto was translated and published on Thursday by Pakistan daily The News.
PTI
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