Kabul, Afghanistan – Key U.S. allies Afghanistan and Pakistan must join forces to fight the “common enemy” of terrorism and extremism being fanned by al-Qaeda and Taliban militants, Pakistan’s president said Wednesday.
But visiting President Gen. Pervez Musharraf also said Pakistan would never allow U.S.-led coalition forces – currently hunting al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters on the Afghan side of the border – into tribal areas on its side.
“On our side of the border, there will be a total uprising if a foreigner enters that area,” he said at a joint news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. “It’s not possible at all. We will never allow any foreigners into that area. It’s against the culture of the people there.”
The leaders held talks on counterterrorism Wednesday amid the deadliest surge in insurgent-linked violence in five years.
The meeting came a day after Pakistan’s government and pro- Taliban militants signed a peace agreement aimed at years of violent unrest on the Pakistani side of the porous border with Afghanistan.
Under the deal, the militants are to halt attacks on Pakistani forces in the North Waziristan region and stop crossing into Afghanistan to attack U.S. and Afghan forces.
Musharraf warned that he would not allow the area to become a terrorist sanctuary.
“Any militant activity will be addressed with force,” he said.
Other Pakistani officials also rejected criticism that the change in tactics could allow Taliban and al-Qaeda loyalists to operate unchallenged there and said it remained committed to hunting down Osama bin Laden.
“Pakistan is committed to its policy on the war on terror, and Osama caught anywhere in Pakistan would be brought to justice,” army spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan said.
In his remarks Wednesday, the Pakistani president said his country and Afghanistan – whose ties have been frayed over allegations of cross-border attacks by Taliban militants since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks – should have “brotherly” relations.
