PESHAWAR, March 28: President of Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan has asked the international community to help defuse tensions in the Pakhtun-dominated areas of the country.

Talking at the Bacha Khan Markaz on Wednesday to

Laura Davis, the political secretary to the British High Commissioner in Islamabad, he sought to dispel the impression created by the authorities that Al Qaeda and the Taliban were the creation of Pakhtuns.

“The Taliban and Al Qaeda are the creation of the establishment and not the Pakhtuns. But the repercussions are borne by the Pakhtuns for no fault of theirs,” said a press release which quoted him.

Senator Asfandyar urged the British government to play its part for the establishment of peace in the areas populated by Pakhtuns.

He said Pakhtuns were passing through hard times as they were being bombed and killed in the name of the so-called war against terrorism.

Mr Khan said that peace in Afghanistan was directly linked to peace in Pakistan and if there were problems in one country, the other would suffer the consequences.

The meeting lasted for an hour in which the situation concerning tribal areas and Afghanistan was discussed.

The two also talked about the regional political scenario with regard to the political situation in Iran and India and its impact on Pakistan and the international community.

Mr Khan said that Pakhtuns were being subjected to the worst type of atrocities on both sides of the Durand Line.