Pakistani, Afghan leaders eye new ties

Islamabad: A pledge by Pakistan and Afghanis-tan to work together to fight militants could build trust between the uneasy US allies, but differences in security strategies could undermine their efforts, analysts said.

In a rare show of solidarity, Afghan President Hamid Karzai attended the inauguration of Pakistan's new president, Asif Ali Zardari, on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference, both leaders later stressed their intention to work together against the militant threat.

Relations between the neighbours have been severely strained in recent years by Afghan and US complaints that militants are operating out of sanctuaries in northwest Pakistan along the Afghan border.

Pakistan says it is doing all it can to stop cross-border movement by militants. But it plays down the importance of the sanctuaries, saying the Afghan war is largely an Afghan problem.

Tests ahead

"Both governments are threatened by Al Qaida and the Taliban. They say they want to cooperate. Now the question is how much they cooperate and how much they can address Karzai's complaints," analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi said yesterday.

The United States has stepped up its strikes on militants in Pakistan, infuriating Pakistanis .

Karzai, who is expected to seek a new term next year, wants the fight taken to the militant sanctuaries, meaning northwest Pakistan, rather than foreign forces inflicting ever greater civilian casualties inside Afghanistan.

More strikes in Pakistan will turn up the domestic heat on Zardari.