The “primary focus” of US engagement with Pakistan will now be to convince its government to act against the Haqqani network which has sanctuaries in North Waziristan Agency, said new US ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson.
His appointment was approved by the US Senate only recently. Due to take formal charge from next month, he will assume office amid signs of improvement in Pak-US relations.
The envoy was introduced to President Asif Ali Zardari by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week, when both met on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly session.
A US Embassy spokesperson told The Express Tribune that Olson is to arrive in Pakistan during the next couple of weeks.
Gearing into action
Testifying before the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee in August, the new US envoy said the US has a clear interest in supporting a stable, sovereign and democratic Pakistan which was at peace with itself and its neighbours.
“Continued engagement with Pakistan is necessary to pursue the strategic defeat of al Qaeda,” said Olson.
He said that the reopening of the Nato supply lines provides a renewed opportunity to increase cooperation on “our many shared interests.”
The ambassador acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the global battle against terrorism. “Tragically, Pakistani people have suffered greatly from extremist violence in their country. They have lost more troops and civilians to acts of terror than any other nation.”
However, he said that the greatest challenge facing the US was to convince Pakistan to act against the deadly Afghan insurgent group, the Haqqani network, which is believed to have sanctuaries in the North Waziristan Agency.
“I can assure you, senator, that this will be a primary focus of my activities and diplomatic engagement with the Pakistanis, to encourage further measures against the Haqqani network, further squeezing of the Haqqani network,” was his response to question asked by head of the committee Senator John Kerry.
Even though Olson reiterated the Obama Administration’s stance that the Haqqanis were based in North Waziristan, he stopped short of accusing the Pakistani spy agencies of aiding the group.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2012.
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