Islamabad, Feb.22 (ANI) : Former Pakistan Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney has once again raised concerns over terrorists taking refuge in the country’s financial capital, Karachi, and said that extremist leaders were hiding in ’safe havens’ in the country under patronage of political parties.

Burney said the arrest of Abu Riyan-al-Zarqawi, one of the close aides of Taliban Chief Mullah Omar and Al-Qaeda head Osama bin Laden has proved that a number extremist chieftains have taken refuge in the city.

Burney said Zarqawi’s revelation that Mullah Omar and Laden were in Pakistan is a matter of grave concern.

“After the arrest of Zarqawi, who is also known as Abu Musa, it is now confirmed that the leadership of the Al-Qaeda and Taliban are in Karachi and enjoying their life in safe havens,” The News quoted Burney, as saying.

In his press release, Burney condemned politicians and religious leaders for their ‘criminal silence’ over Pakistan’s Talibanisation.

Burney, who is also the Chairman of the Ansar Burney Trust, is one of the first leaders to raise the issue of Afghan Taliban leaders shifting their base from Quetta to Karachi.

“It was shocking to know after the reports that Osama bin Laden and Mulla Omar were in Pakistan under the patronage of some political parties and supporters in the Government. After the arrest of Abu Musa, it is now confirmed that the leadership of the al-Qaeda and Taliban are in Karachi and enjoying their life in safe havens,” Burney said.

He also urged President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to take stern action against the increasing Talibanisation and Al Qaeda activities in Karachi. (ANI)