Pakistan's secret 'proxy war' impediment to peace in Afghanistan, says former Canadian envoy

Canada's former ambassador to Afghanistan Chris Alexander has said that Pakistan's "proxy war" was an impediment to restoring peace in the country.

Canada's former ambassador to Afghanistan Chris Alexander has said that Pakistan's "proxy war" was an impediment to restoring peace in the country. Alexander also said that Taliban and its allies had received ample support from Pakistan's army, particularly the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). "The problem is that over these last 20 years and before that, the Taliban may have not have been their own masters. There will be no peace in Afghanistan unless and until Pakistan stops its covert proxy war in Afghanistan. This link needs to be broken," Alexander said. "Taliban as a fighting force are not welcome in Afghanistan. They are illegitimate, what they are doing is illegal, it is terrorism, they target civilians, it is tragic. But, we do need the Taliban to be sincere about the peace process, to lay down their arms and to turn over a new leaf," he said.