But he insisted that the root of the problem was the Afghan government's weak authority, not Pakistani support of the Taliban.

The problem, they say, has become simply one of Pakistani support for armed militants.

But there is no doubt that Pakistani support gradually turned the tide.

Pakistani support largely went to Hekmatyar's group, who, in October 1975, undertook to instigate an uprising against the government.

It has been labeled a terrorist organization by Washington and faces a probable sharp reduction in Pakistani support.

With Pakistani support, the Taliban gradually took control of most of the country.

India has massed troops along the border, threatening war over what it says is Pakistani support for terrorism in the disputed region of Kashmir.

The British refused to publicize this evidence of Pakistani support to the insurgents, which further angered the Afghan government.

Of greater significance is the erosion of Pakistani public support for the US fight against the Taliban.

He was charged with opposing Pakistani support for the American-led war in Afghanistan.