KARACHI, DEC 23: The former Chief of the Pakistan military's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) today said Britain had banned his entry to the country because of his support to Kashmiri militants."My entry into Britain has been banned by the British government since last month," Gen (retd) Hameed Gul said while talking to newsmen."The British Home Office has informed me through a letter in November that I should not enter UK as my activities were found to be against their National interest."No comment was immediately available from the British diplomatic mission.Gul, known for his role as ISI Chief in arming and aiding Afghan Mujahideen during the 1979-89 anti-Soviet war in Afghanistan, returned in October from a month-long visit to Britain."Though no specific reason has been given for the ban but it appears that my moral support for jihad (holy) war has been seen as an act promoting terrorism," he said."I have not broken any British law and support for jihad is no crime and I will not change my stance. The entire West, particularly Britain, supported jihad in Afghanistan. Why it has now been branded as terrorism ?"Gul, who stepped down as military intelligence Chief in 1988, said he had written two letters to the British Home office to request they withdraw the ban. "It will be most unfortunate if they do not respond," he added.
