Afghan papers blame Pakistan for terrorism

Afghan papers blame Pakistan

News of the arrest of three Pakistani men by Afghan security forces for allegedly plotting to kill the US envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has sharpened the criticism of Pakistan in the Afghan press.

Some papers believe Islamabad is trying to frustrate efforts to achieve security and stability in a post-Taleban Afghanistan.

Another expresses concern over a resurgence of violence and calls on the Afghan government to go on the offensive against "enemies".

Afghan TV reported that the three suspects had confessed that they were waiting for a "special waistcoat" to arrive from Pakistan for use in a suicide attack.

'Undermining security'

"Our people have now realized that the Pakistani intelligence agency is behind all the security problems in Afghanistan," the state-run Anis daily says.

"This recent arrest," it continues, "suggests that Pakistani intelligence is involved in undermining security and stability in Afghanistan."

According to the paper, the suspects admitted to "the role of the ISI [Pakistan's intelligence agency] and Pakistani extremist groups in terrorist activities in Afghanistan".

Another paper, the independent Erada, also points the finger of blame squarely at Islamabad.

"The reason behind the recent upsurge in fighting... is that Pakistan is interfering in our domestic affairs and is striving to undermine security and stability in order to disrupt reconstruction."

"To achieve this vicious end, Pakistan has been following a policy of double standards... and is harbouring the terrorists' leaders on its territory."

Double standard?

However, one Afghan paper, the independent Cheragh, criticizes President Hamid Karzai's government for what it argues is a self-contradictory strategy of, on the one hand, conducting talks with some of the leaders of the Taleban and, on the other, continuing military operations against the group.

"The government's double standard has added fuel to the fires of insecurity and instability in our country," the paper complains.

"Although Mr Karzai... and Mr Khalilzad... accused Pakistan of sheltering the Taleban, they have not taken a transparent stance and are still pursuing a policy of double standards."

"When will these policies end and when will our people be rescued from this bloody tragedy?" the paper asks.

Military strength

The independent Arman-e Melli argues that Afghanistan must quickly build up its military strength by increasing the number of soldiers available to fight the insurgents.

"The most practical way to prevent the Taleban's attacks and defend our territorial integrity is to have compulsory military service."

Noting that the Taleban appear to have "regrouped" and are carrying out attacks "in a more systematic fashion", the state-run Hewad says that Afghan security forces need to revise their strategy and actively pursue "enemies".

"The government should abandon its defensive stance and go on a military and propaganda offensive against the terrorists."