Pakistani Foreign Minister Downplays Leaked U.S. Taliban Report

There is renewed tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan after a leaked U.S. military report.    

          

The document stated that the Taliban was being backed by Islamabad, and planned to retake Afghanistan when NATO forces withdraw.   

           

Residents on the streets of Kabul expressed anger towards neighboring Pakistan.   

           

[Mohammad Nazir, Kabul Resident]:        

"This is a fact, that Pakistan is a clear enemy of Afghanistan and not a friend. Every single Taliban and suicide bomber sent to Afghanistan was by Pakistan. I can say that Pakistan continues to harm Afghanistan in many ways."  

            

But the allegations have been strongly condemned by Pakistan.   

          

On a visit to Kabul, Pakistan's Foreign Minister said the report should be disregarded and Pakistan remains committed to Afghanistan.  

            

[Hina Rabbani, Pakistani Foreign Minister]:             

"The intention of my visit over here was to give a very strong message to Kabul. About its importance, about Pakistan's desire to have a long standing, deep relationship with Afghanistan."  

           

The insurgency in Afghanistan has been growing, with violence in the country now at its worst since the Taliban were ousted in 2001.     

         

Around 100 thousand foreign troops are stationed in Afghanistan and are due to leave by the end of 2014.