Afghan President Hamid Karzai Photo: MGN Online

Describing the situation as “extremely alarming,” Mr. Khattak blamed “foreign powers” for turning the region into a battlefield. Violence has escalated in Pakistan’s tribal areas along its border with Afghanistan since the U.S. unleashed its so-called “war on terror” in the wake of the World Trade Center bombings in September 2001.

Remnants of Afghanistan’s Taliban, which were ousted from Kabul by U.S.- led foreign troops, are believed to have taken shelter in remote tribal villages across the porous border with Pakistan.

On June 16, restive Bajaur and Mohamand agencies were brought to a halt by anti-Karzai protests. Shops were shut down and hundreds of people blocked the roads. Nisar Ahmed Mohmand, chief of the Mohmand Resistance Movement who led the protests warned that in case of a war, Pakhtuns (or Pashtuns) in both countries would die.

Mr. Khattak, who is a former chairman of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, has appealed for peace and said bloodshed was no option. Other means of curbing militancy and violence have to be found, he said in an interview with IPS.

Mr. Khattak’s party, which swept to power this year in the North West Frontier Province, ousting an alliance of Islamic parties, has been holding peace talks with pro-Taliban fighters. On May 21, after several rounds of negotiations, the provincial government brokered a peace deal in Swat and Malakand, North West Frontier Province, with a radical Taliban faction.

President Karzai had attacked Pakistan for failing to take military action against the Taliban who audaciously blew up the main gate of a jail in Afghanistan’s second largest city, Kandahar, in June. More than 900 prisoners—including hundreds of militants—are thought to have escaped.

“Karzai’s statement has the support of the United States, which has often said the cross-border raids from Pakistan were a growing problem. Secondly, he is desperate to please the U.S., and secure the presidency of his war-battered country for a second term,” observed Ashraf Ali, a Peshawar University researcher who is an authority on the Taliban.

Public reaction in Pakistan has generally been one of annoyance. The Afghan president, who has often accused Islamabad of not doing enough to flush out militants from its border areas, has never threatened military action before.

“We have been hosting millions of Afghans on our soil. They have been using our resources for three decades now. Karzai himself had lived in Pakistan for over 25 years,” said Israrullah, a trader in the Peshawar Cantonment area.

The ruling nationalist ANP has offered to help reduce tensions between the two countries.

Kamran Arif, member of the human’s right commission’s executive committee, said a negotiated settlement could prevent further loss of blood. “There are international laws that should be applied to resolve problems,” he added.

Reaction from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan was swift. Spokesman Maulvi Umar condemned President Karzai’s threat and warned that if foreign forces entered the tribal area, the Taliban would increase the attacks against NATO and Afghan National Army.

Both Kabul and Islamabad have amassed troops on either side of the 1,243 mile border but neither has been able to check militancy.