Tough action on Taliban expected

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani demanded tough action from Pakistan against Taliban militants in a letter seeking greater anti-terrorism cooperation, after facing strong public criticism over a controversial intelligence-sharing deal between the neighbors.

The spy agencies of both countries this month agreed to trade intelligence and bolster cooperation in their fight against the Taliban, the latest sign of a thaw in once-frosty ties. The Afghan government played down the significance of the deal, which triggered an uproar in the National Assembly and an avalanche of public criticism, with many accusing Ghani's government of selling out to longtime nemesis Pakistan.

In the letter, whose contents were shared by officials, Ghani asked Islamabad's civilian and military leadership to condemn the Taliban's annual spring offensive, and reiterated Kabul's long-standing demand of denying insurgents sanctuary on their side of the border.