Afghan President Hamid Karzai has criticised the US-led coalition for pushing the war on terrorism in Afghan villages, saying the real terrorist threat lay in sanctuaries of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Pakistan. In an interview to the New York Times published on Saturday, Karzai cautioned Pakistan against striking a peace deal with hardcore terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda, though he backed IslamabadÂ’s efforts to hold talks with non-threatening Taliban. He expressed optimism over AfghanistanÂ’s future, saying the change of government in Pakistan could bring progress against terrorism. He criticised the British and American conduct of the war in Afghanistan, insisting that his government be given the lead in policy decisions. He said that he wanted US forces to stop arresting Taliban.