Wednesday, May 24, 2006

"Pakistan arming Taliban": Views of an important Pakistani political leader

Daily Times, May 23, 2006
Pakistan arming Taliban, says Asfandyar

ISLAMABAD: Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan on Tuesday accused Pakistan of arming Taliban militants and stirring trouble in Afghanistan.

“Insurgency is rampant only in areas of Afghanistan adjoining Pakistan,” Asfandyar told an Afghan news agency. Afghan provinces away from Pakistan’s borders are calm, Asfandyar added. “Pakistani authorities and agencies are involved in the ongoing war and lawlessness in areas on both sides of the Durand Line.”

The ANP chief pondered where the Taliban were getting their weapons if not from Pakistan. He condemned the ongoing tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan and urged both the governments to resolve all disputes through negotiations.

He asked the government of Pakistan to review its foreign policy, saying, “Pakhtuns in Pakistan and Afghanistan are suffering because of international politics.” sana

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