© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WECS · WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM · WVOF
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Despite Critics, Pakistan May Expand Tribal Deal

More than a month has elapsed since Pakistan made a controversial peace deal with tribal leaders in North Waziristan, along the border with Afghanistan. The agreement has been criticized for allegedly allowing al-Qaida and the Taliban to regroup in the border mountains -- and increase their cross border attacks on U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Since the deal was made, claims have surfaced that Pakistan's intelligence services are supporting the Taliban. The Supreme Allied Commander for Europe, General James Jones, recently told the U.S. Senate's foreign relations committee that it is "generally accepted" that the Taliban is headquartered in or around the Pakistani city of Quetta. Pakistan denies this.

But Pakistani officials say they will maintain the agreement. They say U.S. and NATO alliance members were "on side" when it was made. Now, it looks as if it's going to be widened to cover more of the tribes along the mountainous borderlands.

Al-Qaida and Taliban took refuge on these areas after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 -- and so, some believe, did Osama bin Laden.

A senior official has told NPR that the Musharraf government's planning to expand it, to cover South Waziristan.

Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Philip Reeves is an award-winning international correspondent covering South America. Previously, he served as NPR's correspondent covering Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content