Afghan minister warns Pak against appeasement of tribal militants

Pakistans policy of appeasing the Taliban was dangerous and the peace talks between Islamabad and militants would lead to more cross-border attacks, said Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta.

Kabul, May 21 : Pakistan's policy of 'appeasing' the Taliban was dangerous and the peace talks between Islamabad and militants would lead to more cross-border attacks, said Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta.

Around two weeks ago, Pakistan had entered into a peace pact with the pro-Taliban militants along the Pak-Afghan border. Thereafter, it has held several rounds of talks with the militants and agreeing to a few of their demands, like implementing Shariat law.

Over the past two weeks, since talks began between the two sides, the region has witnessed a marked reduction in a wave of suicide attacks.

"Anyone thinking that they are able to reach peace in the region through what we call an appeasement policy -- we consider it is a wrong and dangerous policy," the Daily Times quoted Dadfar Spanta as saying while speaking to reporters.

However, NATO said last week that attacks in April in eastern Afghanistan were up 52 percent from the same period last year. A peace deal with Pakistani Taliban in 2006 led to a spike in violence just across the border.

Describing the 2006 deal as bad for Afghanistan, Spanta said the Afghan government was "extremely and infinitely concerned" about Islamabad's moves, which officials in Pakistan say have seen troops redeployed in the tribal zone.

He cited media reports saying that the Taliban had said they wanted peace in Pakistan so they would be able to continue militant activities in Afghanistan. "As the victim of terrorism, we have the right to say we're concerned," the minister said and added that Kabul had spoken of its fears with Islamabad and Washington.

ANI