Monday, August 8 2005 15:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Virtually confirming the existence of militant training camps in Pakistan, a radical pro-Taliban cleric has accused the Government of deceiving the United States by helping extremists to crossover into Afghanistan.

"The rulers are not only trying to deceive the US and the West, but also hoodwinking the entire nation," Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the General Secretary of Islamist alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal said stung by government accusations that clerics were promoting religious extremism and militancy.

Claiming that the clerics were playing an active role in restoring peace in tribal areas, Rehman blamed the Government and the military of sending Taliban elements into Afghanistan.

"We ask the rulers to reveal the identity of the people being transported to Afghanistan from Waziristan in private vehicles, reveal who is supervising their trouble-free entry into Afghanistan and reasons for their infiltration," he said in response to accusations by Lt Gen Safdar Hussain, in-charge of anti-Al-Qaeda operations in Waziristan that Taliban were backed by religious groups in Pakistan.

Rehman, addressing a press conference in Lahore yesterday (Aug 7, 2005), warned that if pressured he would reveal more facts that would open a 'Pandora's box'.

"Under whose supervision these people are crossing over to Afghanistan through official gates (on borders)? Under whose supervision people are being brought from Waziristan to give them military training at camps in Mansehra," he asked.

Asked if his assertion meant endorsement of India's claims about presence of Jihadi camps in the country, the leader of the opposition said his statement should not be seen in New Delhi's context.