A recent survey conducted by Pushto daily Wahdat in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province showed that most Afghans refugees think that the Taliban should not force him out of the country as it would be against the tenets of Islam.

Haji Jaffar Khan in Landi Kotal said, "Allah Almighty would be unhappy if Osama is expelled from Afghanistan".

It will also damage the dignity of Afghans, he said, adding that the Taliban leadership should not worry about US sanctions as Washington has given nothing to Afghanistan.

Habib Parashan, Haji Tila Muhammad, Mulla Zaiwar Gul, Mulla Nazar Akhund and Qari Ahsan said that Osama is a hero of Islam and Muslims should not hand him over to non-Muslims.

They said Osama is symbol of pride for Afghans and "we have to protect him as a guest". However, they said if Osama wants togo to any other country to continue his mission he should take a decision on his own.

Professor Ghulam Sakhi said Osama is not a terrorist Buta Mujaheed who had fought along with Afghans against former Soviet troops. Syed Kond Agha Hashmi said the US is the enemy of the whole Muslim world and every Afghan opposes Osama's handover to the US.

Afghan poet Abdullah Gham Khor said if the Taliban handover Osama to US it will amount to burial of Afghanistan's Islamic status.

N E Medhi called for Osama's expulsion from Afghanistan but opposed his handover to the US. A lady, Fehmia Khawari said the US wants to get rid of Osama under allegations of bombing of US embassies in Africa. The US, she said, does not have any proof of Osama's involvement in the blast.

She accused Washington of violating international norms by launching cruise missile attacks on Afghanistan, killing innocent people.

Professor Mursaleen, Abdul Malik, Abdul Rahim, engineer Aminullah Safi and engineer Saifullah from Kunar province saidAfghanistan had been destroyed in 20 years of fighting and curbs due to Osama will not affect the war-ravaged country.

They said Afghanistan's reputation would be at stake if Osama was handed over to Washington. Whoever Osama is and whatever the charges against him, he is a guest.

Prominent Afghan journalist Walliullah Saleem said that Afghanistan is under pressure from the world community on Osama. On the other hand, it also has to respect its tradition and Islamic principles. Osama should himself realize the difficulties of Afghans and decide whether to stay or leave this country, he said.