Musharraf warns of 'enemy' designs

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 16. Pakistan's military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, today warned that enemies of Pakistan were trying to destabilise the country by fanning sectarianism that has claimed hundreds of lives in the past few years.

``Pakistan is passing through a critical stage of its history and is a victim of sectarianism and hatred,'' Mr. Musharraf told a gathering of Islamic scholars here to mark the birthday of Prophet Mohammad.

``We should understand the designs of the enemy and put aside our personal differences to forge national unity,'' he said.

Violence between the majority Sunni and minority Shiite communities has claimed about a dozen lives since General Musharraf took over in a military coup in October.

The killing of a top Sunni scholar, Maulana Yusuf Ludhianvi, in Karachi last month provoked countrywide condemnation.

Gen. Musharraf said anti-Pakistan elements were exploiting the situation to destabilize the country.

- AFP

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Section  : International
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