Presence of Taliban sanctuaries in Afghanistan beyond explanation: Rehman
In a press release issued by the Embassy of Pakistan, Ambassador Rehman met with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Rand Paul, and had a separate meeting with Senator Rische on Wednesday afternoon.
The press release said that the Senators raised concerns over Dr Shakil Afridi's conviction and subsequent detention. They also discussed the re-opening of Ground Lines of Communications and take action against the Haqqani Network.
Ambassador Rehman, according to the handout, told the Senators that Dr Afridi has been convicted on charges of helping a declared terror outfit, the Lashkar-e-Islam, and his lawyers would be filing an appeal. Additionally, the Ambassador said the Pakistan government could not interfere in the judicial process.
Ambassador Rehman also said that Dr Afridid did not know that he had been contracted by the CIA to find Osama Bin Laden. "Dr Afridi’s actions have seriously jeopardised Pakistan’s efforts to fight disease and polio, particularly among children.”
She emphasised that Dr Afridi’s case needs to be handled in a prudent fashion.
Cross-border attacks and apology
The Ambassador reiterated that an apology on the Salala incident would help provide closure on this issue, and expressed hope that the US and Pakistan will be able to reach an understanding soon on the re-opening of the Nato supply routes.
"On sanctuaries in Pakistan, Ambassador stressed that Pakistan had no tolerance for militant groups and our actions in Swat, Bajaur, Mohmand Agency and South Waziristan proved it," said the press release.
The ambassador told the Senators that militants forced out of Pakistan have often found safe haven in Afghanistan. She added that in the past month, three major attacks have been launched from Afghanistan which have led to the death of 18 soldiers.
"The continued presence of these sanctuaries in Afghanistan in the face of US, NATO and Afghanistan’s combined military might is beyond explanation," questioned Ambassador Rehman.
The press release said that both parties agreed "on the importance of overcoming the current stalemate in the bilateral relationship urgently and to work for robust and even keeled relationship based on mutual respect."
Senator Paul had earlier introduced a bill calling for all US assistance to Pakistan to be cut off until Dr Afridi was released.
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"“On sanctuaries in Pakistan, Ambassador stressed that Pakistan had no tolerance for militant groups …..”"
Apparently, LeT, JeM, Haqqani and other "good terrorist" groups don't count as they the good little innocent children of Pakistani estabishment.
@captain niatpac:
Unfortunately for you I am not some uninformed know-it-all. I talk based on facts.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/400369/gen-allen-gen-kayani-meeting-washington-offers-joint-offensive-against-ttp/
Read the above report carefully.
"However, the offer is linked with the Pakistani military agreeing to eliminate alleged sanctuaries of the Haqqani network on its side of the border, diplomatic sources revealed."
What does that mean? Basically the "You first" doctrine that I explained above.
"There is not even a single ISAF brigade on the Afghan side."
Of course there is not, that is why its called withdrawal, Sherlock. The area they used to control is now controlled by the Pakistani Taliban.
Whatever the facts, the fact remains now that US is asking Pakistan to take action in North Waziristan first before it can take any action on TTP safe havens, according to the ET report I gave link of.
Brilliant, isn't it! You believing it or not, doesn't make an iota of a difference. What I said is already happening. :)
@BruteForce: When Pakistan refused to take control of North Waziristan, they decided to teach Pakistan a lesson by performing a strategic withdrawal of parts of Afghanistan where the Taliban from Pakistan can find safe havens
Do you make such things by yourself online to defend your point of view ? There are five Pak Army brigades in the Waziristan area.There is not even a single ISAF brigade on the Afghan side. Try to get your facts straightened up before you even discuss the issue.
@Faisal Malik: absolutely correct.usa always supports minority to rule over majority.taliban are the majority in afghanistan
Pak could save a lot of time and energy on this issue if they collect all the requests/statements India made about Pak in the last decade and substitute "Pak" with "Afghan". The Afghans too would love it as they can do something similar with all the Pak rebuttals of Indian statements.
@Zeta:
"The mighty NATO/US/ANA can’t control territory under their command and they say Pakistan should do more."
NATO forces, specially the British and the US forces, used to control the areas that Pak Taliban are now occupying. When Pakistan refused to take control of North Waziristan, they decided to teach Pakistan a lesson by performing a strategic withdrawal of parts of Afghanistan where the Taliban from Pakistan can find safe havens.
What a brilliant move! They sacrificed a pawn to target a much bigger opponent pawn.
Now, the tables have turned NATO forces when asked to take control of those very same territories they vacated say to Pakistanis,"You first".
Pakistan has lost a big pawn once again on the Chess board of Af-Pak.
Yes. Taliban control chunks of Afghanistan. Whose fault is that? TTP follow the same ideology as their Afghan brethren, who were among the only 3 countries which recognized them in the 1990s?
Clearly, Pakistan has to eliminate sanctuaries on its soil(which are also beyond explanation, whatever that means) and then can ask others to eliminate the very same sanctuaries on any other side.
@Ravi Mohan: and other indians what does this report has to do with abu jindal and his alleged statements?
...and the presence of Taliban in Pakistan defines explanations.
Dr. Afridi is a 100% Pakistani citizen, he has committed a crime here and was charged and found guilty according to the law of land. Why USA is so worried? on the other hand Dr. Afia Siddiqui is a Pakistani, she was arrested on a fabricated charge of "senseless" crime committed by her in a third country. The whole Pakistani nation want her back, but the USA is denying. What shameless people these Americans are?
Good work Sherry. Pakistan needs to highlight this fact that in a country where they have USA, NATO, ISAF and ANF forces how come large portions of that country are under taliban rule.
@Cautious: Same delusional comments from a typical indian poster on this news stie. You like your fellow country folk have been thoroughly brainwashed by your tabloid news agencies. Your comments show the lack of understanding you have for the issue mentioned in the article.
“The continued presence of these sanctuaries in Afghanistan in the face of US, NATO and Afghanistan’s combined military might is beyond explanation,” questioned Ambassador Rehman.
I am interested to know whether Ms. Rehman actually spoke these words to her US counterparts or whether the words formed part of the press release.
@cautious One might argue that the govt of Pakistan has actual control of less than half the country – so maybe Afghanistan and Pakistan have at least one thing in common.
where do you get your facts from ? bollywood movies?
Can you indians for a moment take your nose out from Pakistan's issues. Your irrelevant opinions are worthless.
Well Said Sherry rehman. The mighty NATO/US/ANA can't control territory under their command and they say Pakistan should do more.
Abu Jundal's statements are revealing that Pakistan's state machinery is involved in training and funding the 'strategic assets'. What are you surprised about Ms.Rehman? For all you know, the Afghans might not be involved at all. The longer this War on Terror stretches on, the better it is for Pakistan - except for the miscalculation in the NATO routes.
Talibans are Afghani, what she means is TTP.
@Faisal Malik
One might argue that the govt of Pakistan has actual control of less than half the country - so maybe Afghanistan and Pakistan have at least one thing in common.
Ms. Rehman. Presence of Afghan Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan are equally beyond explanation. Oh the irony. It's called reap what you sow or rather specifically reap what your army and ISI sow. My heartfelt condolences to the public who suffer due to your establishments actions indirectly.
When USA announced troop pull out plans two years ago, all Pakistan TV channels, media anchors, so called defense analysts and self proclaimed war strategists like Hamid Gul were all were cheering and proclaiming that the Pakistan holds all cards for peace in Afghanistan and that they can control Afghanistan through the Taliban groups it is protecting in its territory. Now, it appears the Strategic Depth policy has back fired miserably. Pakistan will soon have to face the 350,000 Afghan Army trained by USA, NATO and India. Can Pakistan face the Afghans who were and still continue to be the sole source of inspiration and examples of valor for the Pakistan Army ? Can the missiles that proudly carry the names of Afghan warrior kings save Pakistan against Afghanistan? With India on one side and the Afghans on the other side, Strategic Depth is now more like Strangling to Death. The closure of NATO supply routes will also turn out to be a boon in disguise for the Afghan Army as USA and NATO may leave most of their weapons in Afghanistan. Only way out for Pakistan is to act honestly with good intentions towards USA, Afghanistan and India and make peace with all. Going by the past trend and the deeply imbedded mindset in Pakistan, I doubt if this would ever happen. The Pakistan Army would never allow peace with India or desist from their desire to control Afghanistan as they shall loose their importance within Pakistan if there is peace on both sides. They never carded and actually became more powerful and more important within Pakistan after Pakistan lost half of its territory. This is a proud Army, that has repeatedly conquered Pakistan several times.
NATO must work with Pakistan to seal the Pakistan Afghanistan border to make sure that no criminals and terrorists keep entering Pakistan from Afghanistan. The ISAF / NATO forces should pay for a big fence / wall on the border to prevent criminals and trouble causers from Afghanistan coming into Pakistan. The latest killing of Pakistani soldiers by Indian supported criminals in Afghanistan is another example of the violence which comes from Afghanistan.
“On sanctuaries in Pakistan, Ambassador stressed that Pakistan had no tolerance for militant groups ....."
You have to hand it to Pakistan ! They have absolutely no qualms of making such statements with a straight face even when they know it and also know that the person it is addressed to, also know it to be an outright lie. That is some chutzpah
Not only does Afghan government provide them sanctuary but ANA soldiers also participate in these attacks on Pakistani forces. Afghan puppet army should be considered an enemy.
Look at groups like TTP, LeT, LeJ, ADM, and hundred other openly working within our borders, defying hte constitution, openly violating laws and creating trouble in the region. Anywhere in the world, any incident the link always comes back to Pak. Simple google search will show that 80% top ranking guys around the world were either caught or terminated here. So better we get our act together than lecturing others. We have lost all credibility and respect internationally, but still there is no action to remove root cause.
The sward is double edged. Ye shall reap as ye sow.
Life is a funny marriage of convenience. For Dr Afridi the government does not want to interfere in judicial process. What happens to government when SC wants it to write a letter about Swiss bank accounts.
Yet a significant portion of Pakistan is under effective control of these same militants? I hope the Senators asked why the vast majority of the 500,000+ Pakistani army seems to be bystanders in this conflict with the militants.
You go girl - I wish CNN would report this so the public in the US also understands the situation
Ms. Rehman is representing Pakistan very effectively like Mr. Haqani did earlier. A type is in the report "The ambassador told the Senators that militants forced out of Pakistan have often found safe haven in Pakistan", last word should be Afghanistan.
"“On sanctuaries in Pakistan, Ambassador stressed that Pakistan had no tolerance for militant groups and our actions in Swat, Bajaur, Mohmand Agency and South Waziristan proved it,” said the press release."
Paistan has no tolerance for TTP sanctuaries. That is why Swat, Mohmand and South Waziristan had operations. Haqqanis and Afghan Taliban who attack NATO/ISAF are located in North Waziristan where Pak government has provided them safe havens. It also refuses to conduct an operation there.
Oh and by the way what about Muridke? Have you taken action against LeT terror camps?
If 10 taliban who attack hotel all the way in Kabul are supposedly from safe haven in Pakistan, which safe haven are 100 taliban who attack just across the Afghan border from?
Who is really skirting responsibility in this war? Who has the luxury of mine resistant vehicles, 24/7 close air support from aircraft and the most sophisticated war fighting equipment this world has ever seen and still can willfully allow 100 taliban with sophisticated weapons to equip and plan openly in their territory?
Let's say Pakistan supports Haqqanis either by not going after them or even actively protecting them, then where does this leave NATO and TTP operating in Afghanistan?
Beyond explanation? So simple mam. It is just like the sanctuaries in Pakistan to act against Afghanistan/US in Afghanistan, and against Indians in Kashmir. No brainer!
Presence? Actually 70% Afghanistan is under Taliban control... people go to them for justice because of the corrupt government... Taliban do not have a presence in Afghanistan... they own Afghanistan
Well Done Sherry, u said absolutely right