Islamabad, July 28: Many in Afghanistan are of the view that the Taliban are getting support from Pakistan because the militia enter from Pakistani side and attack with the help of al-Qaeda, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said. "Pakistani forces had entered a few hundred metres in our territory in Mohmand area. However, the matter will be resolved through tripartite talks in which US will also participate," Karzai told a private Pakistani channel in Kabul yesterday.
Karzai, who said he had invited Pakistan President Pervez Mushrraff to visit Kabul in the near future, however contradicted the allegation made by some Afghan officials that Pakistan had occupied 20-40 kms of Afghan territory.
"We have arrested six people in connection with the recent attack on Pakistani embassy in Kabul. Their case has been referred to the attorney general and the courts would punish them," Karzai said.
Karzai said he spoke to Musharraf on telephone in this regard and he assured him that activity of Taliban in Pakistan would be stopped immediately as and when it came into the knowledge of the government. Karzai said President Musharraf also reiterated that neither his government nor any agency of the government was supporting Taliban.
Expressing the hope that Pakistan and Afghanistan would soon launch a joint operation against extremists he said, "the people of Afghanistan are thankful to Pakistan for its support during the jihad against Soviet Union. I hope that both countries can improve brotherly relations by adopting the policy of non-interference."
Bureau Report