Taleban says wants proof to extradite Pakistanis

KABUL, July 26 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's ruling Taleban said on Wednesday it would extradite Pakistani nationals wanted by Islamabad if given evidence against them.

``We are waiting for Pakistan to pass on documents and proof of their involvement in those (terrorist) activities. We would not shelter them and would hand them over to Pakistan if it gives us evidence... ,'' Taleban Deputy Interior Minister Mullah Mohammad Khaksar told reporters.

Pakistan Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider said on Monday the Taleban had been asked to repatriate people involved ``in sectarian violence and terrorist activities in Pakistan.''

He said a list of people wanted by Islamabad had been given to the Taleban. He did not say how many were on the list.

Islamabad, exhausted by sectarian killings and cross-border smuggling, last month told the Taleban to shut alleged military training bases for Pakistanis and repatriate anyone with a record of sectarian violence and terrorist acts.

The Taleban has previously refused U.S. approaches to hand over terrorism suspect Osama bin Laden, accused by Washington of masterminding bomb attacks on two U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998 which killed more than 200 people.

Khaksar said talks were continuing with Islamabad about its extradition demand but did not say when a decision would be made.

Other officials in Kabul said one reason for the delay was that the Taleban had asked Pakistan to hand over Afghan nationals wanted for criminal acts and anti-Taleban political figures who reside in Pakistan.

``The stumbling block now is the Taleban demand... The Taleban wants the deal to be a reciprocal one,'' one official said.

Pakistan is the main backer of the Taleban, who swept to power four years ago and now rule 90 percent of the country.

Western countries say Islamabad has enough clout to persuade the purist Islamic Taleban to extradite bin Laden, but the Taleban has repeatedly said he was a ``guest.''