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| Afghanistan |
| Warlords meddling in Pak tribal areas... |
| 2002-08-17 |
| Top officials of Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province have offered the tribal people of Mohmand Agency their all-out support against "Pakistan government's excesses". A letter obtained by Daily Times in Mohmand Agency headquarters Ghalnai on Thursday said: "Afghanistan will not remain a silent spectator when the people of Khoizai tribe are faced with Pakistani excesses." Seems like the Afghans have enough troubles of their own — but I guess it makes sense if you think in terms of Greater Pashtunistan... The letter, written in Pushto, was sent to a number of tribal chieftains by Alhaj Malik Syed Rehman, deputy commissioner of Ghoshta district in Nangarhar, and military commander Pehlawan Syed Umar. However, it did not specifically state the nature of support they would extend to the Khoizai tribesmen. That way, if they're actually called on to do something, they can say "We didn't mean that..." The hand-written letter was addressed to prominent Khoizai tribesmen living close to the Pak-Afghan border. "To stop the continued excesses against the people of the Khoizai tribe by the Government of Pakistan, the Afghan government and the people will extend every possible help. Whatever sacrifices you people (Khoizai tribesmen) offer for independence God will reward them," the letter read. It prayed for the "success and bright future" of the Khoizai tribe. "Us Pashtuns gotta stick together against all them infidels that hates us for no reason..." A senior government official in Peshawar played down the significance of such "interference" from Afghanistan. "These things do not concern the Pakistan government. We know who is doing this and why," the official said, requesting anonymity. He said Afghan warlords were involved in interference in Mohmand Agency to exert pressure on Pakistan and gain something in return. 'Nother words, they're a bunch of blowhards... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |