Pakistan's intelligence agency is providing "extensive" funding, training and sanctuary to the Taliban in Afghanistan, a new report has claimed. The report, published by the London School of Economics, claims there is concrete evidence suggesting support for the Taliban is the "official policy" of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI).
ISI not only funds and trains Taliban fighters in Afghanistan but is officially represented on the militant group's leadership council, the report says.
But a Pakistani military spokesperson has reportedly rejected the claims as part of a malicious campaign against the country.
Although links between ISI and the Taliban have been widely suspected for a long time, the report's findings could raise more concerns over Pakistan's commitment to help end the war in Afghanistan.
The report also alleges Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, along with a senior ISI official, visited senior Taliban prisoners earlier this year, where he is believed to have promised their release and help for militant operations.
"(This) suggests that the policy is approved at the highest level of Pakistan's civilian government," the report claims.
The Pakistan government's apparent duplicity - and awareness of it among the American public and political establishment - could have enormous geo-political implications.
Matt Waldman, the report's author
But a Pakistani diplomatic source said any talks with the Taliban were up to the Afghan government and described the report as "naive".
Last year, US military chiefs said they had indications elements in the ISI supported the Taliban and al Qaeda, and said the agency must end such activities.
Nevertheless, senior Western officials have been reluctant to talk publicly on the subject for fear of damaging possible cooperation from Pakistan.
The report's author, Harvard University fellow Matt Waldman, said: "The Pakistan government's apparent duplicity - and awareness of it among the American public and political establishment - could have enormous geo-political implications.
"Without a change in Pakistani behaviour it will be difficult if not impossible for international forces and the Afghan government to make progress against the insurgency."
The report was based on interviews with Taliban commanders and former senior Taliban ministers as well as Western and Afghan security officials.
It comes at the end of one of the bloodiest weeks for foreign troops in Afghanistan - more than 21 have been killed this week.
Source: Skynews
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