Probe Musharraf for Taliban ties, says Opp

Ahmad claimed that since the beginning of coalition-backed war on Afghanistan, several Pakistani generals had helped the Taliban, including Musharraf. ‘‘Can anyone deny that General Pervez did not help the Taliban before the incidents of 9/11,’’ Ahmad queried.

‘‘Though we are not participating in the proceedings, the PM and defence minister should inform representatives and the people about the ground situation,’’ he added.

Javed Hashmi of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) said: ‘‘We the ARD along with the MMA have decided to carry on protests against the LFO inside the House for the entire duration of an NA sitting and would not stage walkouts.’’

PPP leader Raja Nadir Pervez said the Opposition has frustrated the designs of treasury benches. ‘‘Those who used to see Benazir Bhutto as the biggest leader of century are behaving as hired soldiers,’’ Raja Nadir added.

As Opposition parties in Pakistan hit out at Musharraf, Afghan and US troops overran three suspected Taliban positions in the mountains of southern Afghanistan today.

Gen Haji Saifullah Khan, the main Afghan commander in Zabul province’s Dai Chupan district, said US warplanes and helicopter gunships kept up their barrage until shortly before dawn today.

Khan said the Taliban had been pushed back from three hideouts today but were continuing to hunker down, using the rough terrain as their shield.

Elsewhere, Afghan tribesmen released three abducted Pakistani border troops following negotiations by a delegation led by Pakistani spiritual leaders, Pakistani officials said today.

The troops were kidnapped on August 11 by the Salemankhalil tribe near the Pakistani town of Zhob.