MIR ALI, Pakistan — The Taliban hinted Thursday that it might launch attacks against foreigners helping Pakistan respond to the worst floods in the country’s history, saying their presence was “unacceptable.” The United Nations said it would not be deterred by violent threats.
The militant group has attacked aid workers in the country before, and an outbreak of violence could complicate the relief effort.
Pakistani Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq claimed the U.S. and other countries that have pledged support are not really focused on providing aid to flood victims but have other motives he did not specify.
“No relief is reaching the affected people,” he said, “and when the victims are not receiving help, then this horde of foreigners is not acceptable to us at all.”
It is unclear how many foreigners are operating in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Pakistan’s tribal area where the Pakistani Taliban are strongest. Many of the aid organizations have been in Pakistan for years. The Associated Press
