 Former president Pervez Musharraf has said dialogue had to be established with the Taliban and political progress, rather than military might, would achieve a solution in Afghanistan.
| Brilliant! Do lend us your cell phone for a moment, there's a dear. |
"I think the strategy is right but we need to put in a little more input, more forces required, and maybe we need to concentrate also on the long-term strategy," the former general told Britain's Sky News television.
"Military is never the ultimate solution. The military can buy you time, it can create an environment, but ultimately it is the political instrument that has to be used," he said, adding he thought political dialogue needed to be established with senior elements within the Taliban. He said he did not think the Taliban were open to any discussions or any negotiations with (Afghan President Hamid) Karzai. He said the situation required people who had access to the Taliban," he added.
| That would be you, right? |
Musharraf also said that while the Taliban's influence in Pakistan's areas along the Afghan border had strengthened since he resigned the presidency, he was sure Pakistan would remain stable as long as the armed forces of Pakistan were intact.
| That certainly is a theory. |
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