PESHAWAR, Nov 10: The patron-in-chief of Markaz-i-Uloom-i-Islamia, Rahatabad, Maulana Rahat Gul, said on Saturday that the Afghan population had been facing a severe shortage of foodstuff and other essential items.

Speaking at a press conference here at the Peshawar Press Club on his return from Afghanistan, the maulana confirmed civilian casualties because of the US-led air strikes in Kabul and Jalalabad.

Maulana Gul said that on the one hand innocent civilians were being killed in bombardment, on the other they were dying of cold, hunger and starvation.

The maulana said he had met the senior minister of Taliban government, Mulla Mohammad Hassan Akhund, commander-in-chief Maulvi Jalal Haqqani, and higher education minister Maulvi Deen Muhammad Haneef.

Except bombing, Maulana Gul said, life was normal in Kabul.