Pashtu language newspaper banned in Afghanistan's eastern province

ISLAMABAD, Oct 10 (AFP) - A newspaper published in the Pashtu language in the Pakistani border city of Peshawar has been banned in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar because of its alleged pro-Taliban stance, a report said Friday.

The governing provincial council said the newspaper, named Khabrona, was publishing material designed to incite people to wage jihad against the government, the Pakistan-based news service Afghan Islamic Press reported.

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The decision against the newspaper, which started its publication on September 27, was made in a special meeting of Nangarhar Shura on Wednesday, it said.

Pashtu is spoken by the ethnic Pashtun community which makes up a majority in Afghanistan's diverse ethnic population.

Afghan leaders, including President Hamid Karzai, say Taliban fighters ousted by US-led forces two years ago have been regrouping in Pakistani tribal areas, mainly in North West Frontier Province of which Peshawar is the capital.

The Afghan officials charge Taliban find sympathy from fellow Pashtun tribesmen and stage attacks inside Afghanistan.

Resurgent Taliban are blamed for a surge in bloodshed in the past two months that saw aid workers, troops and Afghan officials increasingly targetted.

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