Thaindian News

Lahore, April 29(ANI): The Obama administration is pressing Pakistan to eliminate all hard-line religious groups- which Pentagon believes are militant outfits- ahead of the withdrawal of US troops from war-torn Afghanistan.

“This time, the US has sizeable wish-list as far as efforts to ‘disrupt, dismantle and defeat the Taliban and Al-Qaeda” elements are concerned,” The Nation quoted an Interior Ministry official, as saying on the condition of anonymity.

The US wish-list also includes the permission for NATO forces’ ground operations in Pakistan’s North Waziristan Agency (NWA), drone strikes in Balochistan, military operation in Southern Punjab and visible elimination of the Haqqani network and the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the report said.

An American official engaged in Afghanistan and familiar with the developments also revealed that Washington would consider handing over of fully equipped and lethal drone technology to Islamabad if Pakistan agreed to implement the US war strategy in the region “as it is.”

“They have to choice what they like. This is not a matter of just likes and dislikes. This is a long war against terror and we have to declare clear-cut victory (in Afghanistan), which is only possible if our war-time strategic partner offers unconditional support,” the Kabul-based US official said during his recent visit to Pakistan.

American and Pakistani defence experts say that international media war against the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is part of a well-thought out strategy to force Islamabad to compromise on strategic affairs.

When asked about the recently leaked US defence cables linking the ISI with militant outfits, the official said that the Pakistani spy agency was the major hurdle in carrying out ground operations in NWA and southern Punjab.

“As the US military command has suggested, this year would be the ‘turning point’ in Afghanistan, Americans can go to any extent. But we never wish to lose our strategic partner (Pakistan),” he emphasised.

“If they (ISI) will not cooperate with us as we require, it means they are with Haqqanis and the LeT. So it means they are siding with the militant outfits,” the US official justified.

American officials claimed that the Pakistani security establishment lacked public support as far as ‘punitive action’ against the LeT, the Haqqanis and pro-Taliban elements in Southern Punjab is concerned.

“We understand their problems, but we need joint ventures against common enemies. These militant groups are serious threats for Islamabad as well as Washington,” US officials added.

American officials insist that Pakistan’s punitive action against the Haqqanis, the LeT, and other militant groups is vital to economic and security stability in the region.
“India is also sitting on the next table in the ‘Af-Pak peace conference room’ and keenly watching towards the strategic-partners to decide her role in the war-torn country after US-led allied forces withdrawal,” US officials claimed. (ANI)