APTN asks refugees in Pakistan what they think of the deposed Afghan king.

Quetta, October 16, 2001 1. Various of guards outside residence of Gul Agha Sherzai, former Governor of Kandahar 2. Various of Gul Agha Sherzai in conversation with friends, former Mujahadeen commanders 3. Gul Agha Sherzai showing photograph of himself with former King Zahir Shah 4. Close-up of photograph 5. Gul Agha Sherzai looking at photograph 6. SOUNDBITE: (Pashtu) Gul Agha Sherzai, former Governor of Kandahar, 1991-1996 "When the outsiders came into Afghanistan, we knew all about them. They are Wahhabis and they are terrorists. It's because of them out country is under air strikes and bombardments." 7. Gul Agha Sherzai in conversation with friends 8. SOUNDBITE: (Pashtu) Gul Agha Sherzai, former Governor of Kandahar, 1991-1996 "King Zahir Shah is the most acceptable leader for Afghanis. He's our national father figure. God willing, we hope that when these terrorists and outsiders are gone, 95 percent of the people of Afghanistan will want peace and a broad-based government." Quetta, recent file (October 7, 2001) 9. Various of Pashtun Khwa Milli Awami Party (United People's Party) rally, in support of return of former king to Afghanistan, with party leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai speaking to crowd 10. Crowd at rally - tilts up to portrait of former king 11. Flags and banner reading "Loya Jirga" Quetta, October 16, 2001 12. Exterior of Pashtun Khwa Milli Awami Party office 13. Close-up of prayer beads 14. Party workers listening to party leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai 15. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mehmood Khan Achakzai, leader of Pashtun Khwa Milli Awami Party (United People's Party) "Loya Jirga is a solution in any crisis of the Afghan people. So when we say Zahir Shah, we don't mean that he himself will just come as a king of the Afghan people. He is an old citizen. He has got a lot of respect in society. His family was in power, one way or another, for more than a century, 142 or 143 years. So he can be a nucleus. The Taliban - if they are really sure that they are the true representatives of the people - they should welcome Loya Jirga, they should participate in it. And if the people decide in their favour, no-one can eject them." Jacobabad, October 15, 2001 16. Various of anti-U-S demonstration with fire burning 17. Various of pro-Taliban rally, lead by Islamic clerics STORYLINE: In the Pakistani city of Quetta near the Afghan border, public opinion over the best future course for Afghanistan is bitterly divided. One extreme is vociferously backing international terrorist suspect Osama bin Laden against the Americans, while some of their neighbours are stealthily bidding for the downfall of Afghanistan's religious Taliban regime. On the outskirts of the city in a well-guarded house lives Gul Agha, chief of the powerful Sherzai tribe and Governor of Kandahar until the Taliban came to power in 1996. Friends of Gul Agha say he believes he could yet return as Governor of the city, a tantalising 200 kilometres away from Quetta. Gul Agha believes that the return of former King Zahir Shah will be popular with the people of Afghanistan and will bring the speedy return of peace to country. Agha says he is in contact with the king every day and proudly shows a picture of himself taken with the Zahir Shah in Rome three months ago. Gul Agha is angry that Saudi-born extremist Osama bin Laden is being sheltered in his country. He thinks only the king will be able to secure a stable future for the people and ensure the ejection of outside elements he says have brought chaos to Afghanistan. One of Baluchistan's largest political parties is also calling for the return of the king. The party leader, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, says he believes millions of Afghans will support the king. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/65d1b0c2b8984d8bfb4e86a6f45cb477 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork