Pakistan vows to prevent cross-border attacks into Afghanistan

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Pakistan's new government gave its strongest commitment yet on containing Islamic militancy, vowing to prevent attacks on Afghanistan but insisting foreign forces would not be allowed to operate on Pakistani soil. The statement Wednesday came as the latest spasm of violence between terrorists and tribesmen left 37 people dead in tribal regions of northwest Pakistan, a stronghold of Taliban and al-Qaida fighters. Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani met with top officials, including the chiefs of the army and the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence. He said the government would not allow the tribal areas to descend into chaos, and reserved the right to use military force. "Pakistan will not allow its territory to be used against other countries, especially Afghanistan," his office said in a statement.