Hundreds of Afghans hold anti-Pakistan protest

Protesters appear angry, carry large banners with slogans as they chanted "Death to Pakistan" and "Death to ISI".


Reuters October 02, 2011

KABUL: Hundreds of Afghans took to the streets of Kabul on Sunday to condemn recent shelling of border towns by Pakistan's army and accusing its powerful spy agency of involvement in the assassination of the country's ex-President Burhanuddin Rabbani.       

The protest comes amid heightened tensions between two neighbours, with Afghan officials blaming Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Taliban's senior leadership of plotting to kill Rabbani.

Under tight security, the one-hour rally passed without any incidents. But protesters appeared angry and carried large banners with slogans as they chanted "Death to Pakistan" and "Death to ISI".

"Pakistan and its ISI must stop interfering in Afghanistan. Our patience is running out," said Daoud Kodamani, a 22-year-old university student.

"Fighting our country's enemies is nothing new for Afghans and Pakistan is another enemy to fight with," he said.

Many Afghans have long accused Pakistan and the ISI of backing insurgent groups to further Islamabad's own interests, which Pakistan denies.

Rabbani, who was head of the High Peace Council tasked with trying to reach a negotiated settlement to the 10-year war, was killed at his Kabul home on Sept. 20 by a suicide bomber claiming to be carrying a message of peace from the Taliban leadership.

Rabbani's killing was widely seen a major blow to the peace process and came amid worsening security in the country as NATO-led troops begin handing security responsibility to Afghan troops in preparation for full withdrawal from the country by the end of 2014.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai hinted on Saturday he had lost hope in pursuing peace talks with the Taliban, whose leadership council, or Shura, is believed to be based in the Pakistani city of Quetta.

Karzai said Afghanistan should be negotiating peace with Pakistan instead.

Afghan provincial officials say Pakistan's military had fired hundreds of rockets between Sept. 21 and Sept. 25 in eastern Kunar and Nuristan provinces, which share a long border with lawless tribal areas inside Pakistan.

Although, the shelling did not cause major casualties, it followed more than a month of bombardments by Pakistan's military in June and July that Afghanistan said had killed at least 42 people.

Pakistan has repeatedly blamed Afghanistan for giving safe haven to militants on its side of the border, particularly in Kunar province, leaving it vulnerable to counter-attack when it chases them out of its own ethnic Pashtun tribal areas.

COMMENTS (152)

Farhan | 12 years ago | Reply

I dont know why all commentators here see only one side of picture. Why we dont want to see the other side of coin.

Lets accept the fact that there is a long history of anti-pakistan sentiments in Afghanistan. Look at it, too.

Other than that we also recognise the fact that yousuf Raza gilani and our army chief went to Afghanistan to cool the deep rooted anti-pakistan sentiments in Kabul and rebuild bilateral relations. That spirit should continue.

Dont, forget that many Afghans also hate pakistan because of our support to taliban during 90's when taliban ruled afghanistan.

Also, contrary to our general understanding of Afghanistan, there are four-five major ethnic groups there other than pashtun. These include tajiks, uzbiks and hazara's.

I think we little understand Afghan politics.

Narendir modi | 12 years ago | Reply

We indians need to put our house in order first where honest police officer are being persecuted due to their uprightness. where noble citizens are picked by security forces and tortured to death in residences of chief ministers. Its mockery of democracy.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ