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Washington, May 11: In a new revelation, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the CIA of the United States and his country's ISI together created the Taliban. "I think it was part of your past and our past, and the ISI and CIA created them together," Zardari told the NBC news channel in an interview. In the interview, which was given to the NBC on May 7, Zardari also accused the US of supporting the military rule of Pervez Musharraf who was alleged to be taking sides of the Taliban. He disagreed with the popular belief in the US that the Pakistan military and intelligent services still have sympathies for the Taliban. "I think General Musharraf may have had a mindset to run head and hand with the hound but certainly not on our watch. We don't have a tough process at all," Zardari said. Asked about the influential role of the Pakistan Army, Zardari said he is in control of everything in the country, including the military. "The Parliament has final say. It's the Parliament form of government, and I am a product of the Parliament," he said. Earlier, Zardari in an another interview had said that India
was not a "threat" to his country and that Pakistan had moved some of its forces from its Indian border to western frontier to eliminate Taliban in its tribal belt.

Pak govt to take over all madrassas
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that all madrassas in the country would be taken over by the government to separate the students from extremism and impart modern as well as religious education to them. Speaking at a community dinner, Zardari said his government has resolved to bring reforms in the madrassa system and bring it under the government system. Commenting on the ongoing military operation in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP) against the Taliban and other terrorist groups Zardari said the government would initiate every necessary step to pull the country out of the crisis and hand over a better Pakistan to the next generation. “We are striving for reconciliation with all forces in Pakistan, rejuvenation of national institutions, reorganisation of Pakistan’s strength. We have a lot of strength but we have never allowed our full potential to be utilised for the good of the country,” The News quoted Zardari, as saying. Zardari also claimed that Islamabad has shifted an ‘unspecified number’ of troops from its eastern border with India to fight against the Taliban.