KABUL - President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday said his administration was decidedly more attentive to the cross-border shelling from Pakistan than other issues, directing the authorities to provide the displaced families with all basic facilities of life.

Karzai told a delegation comprising tribal elders, religious scholars and public representatives from eastern Kunar province that he was in close contact with Pakistani officials and the international community to put an end to the missile and rocket attacks.

The delegation asked the president to intensify his efforts at addressing the two-year-old issue. A number of people have been killed and wounded in the attacks, they said, adding hundreds of families had migrated to the safely amid tough living conditions.

They explained a recent fitwa for jihad against Pakistani forces issued by clerics was aimed at defending the country’s soil from foreign aggression.

The elders also strongly criticized foreign troops for failing to respond to the attacks, insisting US forces had to help Afghans under the strategic agreement.

They also urged the president to direct the authorities concerned to provide the displaced families with shelter and other basic facilities of life. A large number of families escaping violence have migrated to province from Pakistan. The delegates said the Pakistani families should also be assisted. (Pajhwok)