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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State department recently issued a statement increasing burden on Pakistan by saying that Pakistan plane to launch a operation against Haqqani net work that is a essential part of Taliban in the large major militant trench North and Waziristan but Pakistani army leaders have downplayed the comments,saying They plane to slowly increase against insurgents in North Waziristan and the other ares bordering Afghanistan rather than launch a sweeping offensive.
Pakistani army commanders are well known about the strategic field with the experienced knowledge how to face the terrorist forces operating in the sky high mountainous areas.so American military should personally consider it with no reservations and fully depend on the ally have sacrificed more than all in this decade long uphill task.
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.”
Internationally recognized role played by Pakistan in the war on terror ,we are on the brink with fragile economy,internally unrest,politically instability,now as is exposed by indication but saying before, we are not in position to do more if you pose pressure it would be useless,baseless and mindless groundless also.
US should also pressurise the PAK govt to eliminate the TTP and other extremists organisations as well which has killed thousands of innocent pukhtoons
these americans are scikos.
Did you think American policy was going to change because of the change in envoy's? America will keep up the pressure until you quit providing sanctuary to terrorist - even after they depart Afghanistan. The Afghan "end game" clearly provides the USA the ability to maintain air and special forces attacks on militants in both Afghanistan and Pakistan after 2014 - something that Zardari, Khan or whomever can't stop or even influence.
“new-us-envoy-to-urge-north-waziristan-clean-up”
Mr. Richard we are not your salver, can you hard pursuit to Terry Jon and handover him to Saudi Arabia as desired by all Muslim world? who are only one person and responsible of blasphemy, If not, then how you hope and given order to us for above quoted. .
Who is he to interfere in our country??? :s
these americans are sick...
"new-us-envoy-to-urge-north-waziristan-clean-up" Much the best,excellent and august statement regarding cleaning up the Haqqani network from new US' envoy and for this purpose US' drones are being used,doesn't matter mostly innocent people are being killed,despite the protests and condemnations from Pakistani leaders only verbally...