Context
Afghan President Hamid Karzai admitted his government had failed to maintain security in the country. The head of state told BBC it was a “serious shortcoming” that the Taliban were able to launch spectacular attacks in to Afghanistan. Karzai however accused Pakistan of supporting the insurgency and sheltering Taliban militants in its tribal belt. Karzai blasted Pakistan for its links to the terrorist group, and stated that “NATO and the US and our neighbors in Pakistan should have concentrated a long time back, in the beginning of 2002-3, on the [Taliban] sanctuaries” operating in Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly denied it provides support to the terrorist organization.
President Karzai expressed joy at his achievements in education and health. He also told reporters of his intentions to step down in 2014 when his current term ends.
