Afghanistan blames Pakistan for financing Taliban, Haqqani network

United Nations, Sept 23: Slamming Pakistan for sheltering terrorists, Afghanistan told world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly that Islamabad was waging an "undeclared war" on its people by plotting "merciless" terror attacks through groups like the Taliban and the Haqqani network.

Afghanistan Vice President Sarwar Danesh said despite repeatedly asking Pakistan to destroy known terrorist safe havens, there had been no change in the situation.

"Taliban and the Haqqani network are trained, equipped and financed there," he said adding that Pakistan has a dual policy of discriminating between what it views as "good and bad terrorists".

Alleging that Islamabad was waging an "undeclared war" against the Afghan people Danesh demanded that it stop the "merciless attacks of terrorist groups."

He also blamed the recent attack on the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul on Pakistan saying it had "existing evidence" that these attacks were planned and organized from inside Pakistan's territory.

"We ask all of you, where were the previous leaders of the Taliban and the Al Qaeda residing, and where were they killed? At this very moment, where are the leaders of the Taliban and the Haqqani network located?" Danesh asked the General Assembly.

He urged world leaders to ensure that no distinction be made between good and bad terrorists in the global fight against terrorism.

Despite security threats, Afghanistan has kept the doors of peace open for those Taliban elements and other armed opposition groups who are willing to give up violence and agree to live under the Afghan constitution, Danesh said.

He added that the Quadrilateral Coordination Group composed of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and America can remain a useful platform to further peace efforts, so long as the government of Pakistan acts in good faith to meet and fulfill its commitments.

PTI