Keeping in mind Pakistan’s nuclear assets, its role in Afghanistan and the fact that both the US and Pakistan are partners in the war against terrorism, Washington has no choice but to maintain relations with Islamabad, said Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on Tuesday.
Addressing a packed audience of Congressmen, policymakers and students at the National Defence University, Panetta said that the US and Pakistan have ‘a very complicated relationship.’
Listing US concerns with Pakistan such as its ‘links with the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Pakistan’s refusal to issue visas, and concerns about its nuclear programme’, Panetta said that despite it all, “there is no choice but to maintain a relationship with Pakistan.”
(Read: What would happen if Pakistan and the US severed ties?)
Unsavoury, but imperative
“What makes this (relationship) complicated is that they (Pakistanis) have relationships with the Haqqanis … who are going across the border and attacking our forces in Afghanistan,” he said.
“There’s a relationship with LeT. And, you know, this is a group that goes into India and threatens attacks there. It has conducted attacks there,” said Panetta, who recently stepped down as CIA director to take over at the Pentagon.
However, he said, there were vital interests at stake that meant Washington had to stay committed to the partnership.
“And yet there is no choice but to maintain a relationship with Pakistan. Why? Because we’re fighting a war there … because we are fighting al Qaeda there, and they [Pakistanis] do give us, you know, some cooperation in that effort,” Panetta said.
“They do represent an important force in that region. Because they do happen to be a nuclear power that has nuclear weapons and we have to be concerned about what happens with those nuclear weapons.” He added that there were going to be ‘ups and downs’ in the relationship with Pakistan.
Pakistan’s apprehensions
Asked if their ‘best asset’ – drone – is their ‘worst nightmare,’ both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Panetta immediately replied with a resounding ‘no’. Clinton added that relations between the US and Pakistan were in the long-term interest of both the countries.
She tried to convey Pakistan’s fears and doubts to the audience by quoting the end of the movie ‘Charlie Wilson’s War,’ where the Congressman had wanted to build schools and help both Afghanistan and Pakistan after the Soviets were defeated in the late 80s, but the US left after the war ended, leading to Pakistan’s concerns vis-a-vis the US role in the area.
“Pakistan has a viewpoint that needs to be seen with some respect,” said the secretary of state.
Panetta, who also declined to talk directly about drones, alluded to the subject by saying that the US was taking action against not just those al Qaeda terrorists who were plotting attacks against the US, but also those who were attacking the Pakistani people.
“It is in their interest to go after the terrorists … they can’t pick and choose their interest,” he said.
Asked about reports that Islamabad might have allowed Chinese engineers to examine a US helicopter that crash landed during the May 2 raid that killed Osama bin Laden in his Abbottabad hideout, Panetta declined to confirm or deny the accounts. “I’m not going to comment because it does relate to classified intelligence,” he added.
US stems funds to Haqqani network
In a related development, the US said on Tuesday that it has taken actions aimed at stemming the flow of funds and other aid to a commander of the Haqqani network.
(Read: US tries to stem funds to Haqqani network commander)
Secretary of State Clinton designated commander Sangeen Zadran under an executive order signed by President George W Bush in 2001 in a bid to block funds to suspected terrorists, the State Department said.
“As a result of the designation, all property subject to US jurisdiction in which Sangeen has any interest is blocked and US persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him,” it added.
“Zadran is the shadow governor for Paktika province, Afghanistan and a commander of the Haqqani network,” it said.
Sangeen also acts as a senior lieutenant to Sirajuddin Haqqani, the State Department said. (With additional input from AFP)
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2011.
COMMENTS (97)
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@Alami Musafir: So true. Can't blame these forreigners. it is their nature. We simply need to stay focused and fight back equally cleverly. It means we need to end corruption, poverty and illiteracy NOW. Otherwise they will keep recrute poor afghanis and pakistanis for suicide attacks. Pak zindabad.
@Mir Agha: Yes. Search John Perkins - confessions of an economic hitman. US er among the biggest gerrorist states, but they are good at it, doing it covertly and cleverly and through stupid locals. One have to give their smartness. But we all know the game play.
@from india: "pakistan should have opted for non-aligned movement like india …it would have helped in the long run !!" When the original four(Nehru, Nasser, Sokarno, Tito) started the Non-aligned movement, some reporter asked Liaqat Ali Khan of Pakistan his views on this development. His reply: zero + zero +zero +zero still equals zero. When Nehru was asked his reaction to Liaqat Ali Khan's comment, his reply: if he thinks he is just a zero, he perhaps might be. Later, Pakistan did join the Non-aligned Movement and still is a part of that. It is quite another matter that the movement has fizzled now for lack of credible adversaries to be "nonaligned" to!
With our "always in denial" friends like Frank we can be rest assured that the vast majority of readers will just beat their chests and say "No, Pakistan is great. Pakistan is perfect. Don't tell us what to do."
Decades of delusion, denial, and bigotry have led our nation to fall from it's once strong standing. I urge all of you to open your eyes and realize that we have a lot to fix in Pakistan. Stop beating your chests. Stop hating and blaming others. Look within. We are the problem.
@Hedgefunder: I admit, but living in illusion and dreams is better than bragging over these bottomless facts..i would say. My point was, WE should not let the world know of our inner situations .. already, we are below everything.... but that's just me...
@Khattak: How successful are you at utilising all the natural resources in your country??? Why are you not in position to exploit such wealth, or make them into commercially viable projects??? In regards to the Aid to neighbouring countries, check the facts as to the amount of money that has been provided by India in last few years to Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka for development of Infrastructure and various social causes too! India does have a foreign policy like US, its policy is based on seeing regional development and stability, so that its mutually beneficial to the region. Unfortunately the people in Pakistan have had selective education for too long to acknowledge the facts. India does have more poverty, but also has 6 times the population of Pakistan !!! So one can not really equate to that argument, i am sorry !! I like your stand and patriotism, however its healthy to acknowledge the flaws and to look for positive solutions rather than going on blame games and denials, which the society in Pakistan has been so use too !!
@ashok sai / hedgefunder
I read all the news dear, go into detail and ask me where you think you can argue with me. The counsulates are in the major cities and not in the villages i accept. And i know why Indian aid is going to Afghanistan and not anywhere else. Bangladesh or Nepal won't need that aid right? did they ever give aid to any other country before that they are running to Afghanistan with such a speed.
i know that BBC or CNN will never publish a good news about Pakistan but publish a bomb blast overnight to let their people think that Pakistan is just another Afghanistan. BBC didn't publish the news of flood for a week
Can you explain Indian Army links with Tamil Tigers?
@hedgefunder
I live among the people who are deprived of electricity for 10 hours. Most of them use generators and UPS. The problem is that rich in this country don't think about the poor. But same is in India and other developing countries.
Coal is one thing, Gas and oil, marble and name a mineral which is not present dear.
You are here commenting just to criticize Pakistan though India got more poverty and we can discuss indian problems too but i won't start. I don't have time for you guys, If you were from a country Pakistan calls a good friend then i would but its just a waste of time having a discussion with you.
NO MORE COMMENTS
@ashok sai: I guess not ! Its really bit too much to hope for, as from his comments its obvious as to the selective level of his IQ !!!
@Khattak: Pakistan has thousand and one Problems to resolve !!! Not everything is ok!! perhaps in your little cocoon, its all fine !! Fossil fuel is running out of fashion pretty fast so start using that Coal ! I would be very concerned if i had to borrow more money to service the interest charges of the previous loans, as is the case with pakistan !!!! In regards to Electricity supplies, well you may have your own generator, however try telling the people who are deprived of this basic need for upto 10 hours a day daily!!! If these crises are due to your Govt, than why give them mandate to rule???? The Problems facing Pakistan were not created overnight, but over period of last two decades, due to their internal and external Policies !!!! Get real ! Learn to face facts, as it helps to find solutions for future remedy!!!
@Khattak:
Mate, while I appreciate your patriotism would like to ask you a question, Have your ever read news about Pakistan in an international or other neutral media apart from your local Urdu news and some right wing journals like 'Nation' ????
@Khattak:
every country muslim or non muslim support a group which goes into the enemy territory and plan attacks.
?????
@hedgefunder
The major contributor to for example World Food Programme is Germany and not the United States and there are many countries contributing to UN not just US. Well i never said we need UN aid i was referring to Iraq and Afghanistan.
There is electricity but not enough but we have many projects underway of small dams and are you comparing Pakistan with USA now? We are working on it and we will develope our country. The question is should we build it on aid or own money.
About the loans. Read about a place called 'Thar' google it and you will find that it has got world 5th largest coal reserves and if Pakistan extracts 5% of it, we can pay you off in some time but for now its this government applying for all these loans and previous one before that in 90s we started a campaign to pay off all the loans and get rid of your harsh conditions for example telling us not to build a nuclear bomb and not putting sanctions on India.
Healthcare and Education is very good in private sector but as our government is very corrupt and not compitent all government institutes are not fit for purpose.
It is our internal problem why are you so happy with our problems and not looking at our positive things. Actually you are used to point out negative points in other countries and then bulley them.
@thundapani
Why will anyone gas 200 people in Pakistan. its not Saddam's Iraq. And yes go back with your aid and let see if we live or die.
solate it from the rest of the world
Its not up to you to do that. You should have a reason to do that.
@ashok sai
We are fed up with sucide bombings. The question is who is behind it, sucide attack on mosques, school buses and bazaars can benefit only those who want mass killing of the population and one thing which is very clear in Pakistan is that the groups who are targetting army personnels, police and public places are RAW, KAAD or CIA agents. Sucide bombings were not very frequent before iraq war. Jihad today is a commercial thing, every country muslim or non muslim support a group which goes into the enemy territory and plan attacks. Afghanistan intelligence created their own jihadi force same is with India 'they send indian muslims to afghanistan to train people and send them to Pakistan telling them that Pakistan is a US ally. USA did PHD in this area as they create them, destroy them and recreate them with new authority. One person caught by Pakistan Army in swat was pretending to be a muslim cleric living there for 25 years and was actually a Hindu. Similarly recently group of people crossing the border from Afghanistan and killing Pakistani security personnel calling all of them Kufar. An Indian army official was involved in a bomb attack within India.
yes, we are fed up of suicide bombings but the point here is no solution to these problems just blaming each other@ashok sai:
@Proud Paki: Very well said !!!
@Khattak: Don't confuse yourself with Aid, and that from US and UN. UN is not an Aid provider for start ! US does provide Aid !!! Also one can see how great things are in pakistan !! Have you forgotten the small matter of Billions of Dollars owed in borrowed money from various IMF, WB,ADB etc!!!!! So if things are that rosy, how comes you need to borrow so much money??? How come you can not provide basic electricity supply ?? Let's not even delve in regards to healthcare or education or any other basic services too!!! Get real, Patriotism is good but it can damaging when one fails to recognise the ground realities.
@Hedgefunder - Horrific atrocities were commited by the Sikhs (extremist) and the Hindus on the muslims migrating to Pakistan and there is no comparison what so ever. Muslims were moving in massive numbers to Pakistan to escape Indian terrorism but unfortunately massive numbers of them there were slaughtered before they could even reach Pakistan. No offense to any body . . . .Just had to set the historic record straight.
@ Hedgefunder
In my last post i mentioned communities defending themselves in a chaos or incase of foriegn invasion like soviet union's. Just like Turkish community let their youth walk in large numbers during london riots to defend their businesses. During partition sikhs couldn't do anything in Pakistani Punjab because armed muslims were defending themeselves. The people who fought along with Pakistan Army to defend Pakistan are called mujahideen and Indian hindu and sikhs were defending themeslves in their area with own private army. But on both sides there were people involved in killing and looting as the idea of private army is not a good one as they are not professionals. What i meant to say was that this phenomenon is not new and not very strange. US is supporting libyan rebels who are no different then Al-Qaida or Taliban. And there is a difference between groups who work in cordination with army and terrorists who carry out attacks on civilians.
@My Name is Khan: The atrocities were commited by both sides due to lack of trust and fear !!! No side was innocent in those dreadful events in punjab !! So where is the relevance of those events, whcih occured 65 years ago, to the present day,especially in relation to the above article?
@My name is Khan - This is first hand information. At the time of partition, trains were arriving into Pakistan with dead bodies of muslims that were slaughtered by the extremist Sikhs and Hindus in huge numbers.
Perhaps it is time to cut the rhetoric and leave Pakistan to its designs. Contain it from all sides. Cut the so called aid, cooperation blah blah, matter of fact isoltae it from the rest of the world. Let's see where this all goes. Maybe go the extra mile and gas 200 million people too. Where will this leave the world. Will there be more peace?
I am disgusted by some of the comments posted here and wonder where are the good people gone ? Those who would want to chart a path of peace and harmony.
US'S statements are hogwash. I don't see any reason why they should be friends with Pakistan, they are on a collision course and it is not likely to yield a positive result. Perhaps they need to focus on their overly leveraged economy and find ways to stay alive other than those that cause death and chaos elsewhere.
As for India....I have hope, we have a lot in common.
@zobia:
But you don't seems to be fed up by suicide-bombings !
@My Name is Khan
You learn some history. Train full of muslims were attacked by sikhs during partition in 1947. IN all over Indian Punjab sikhs attacked muslims. You didn't even studied your own history!
The same rhetoric once again, please says something new Panetta. We (Pakistani) have been fed up of such things.
@My name is Khan - Please read some history. Khattak is right. Unfortunately some extremist Sikhs and hindus massacred Muslims during partition. Many Punjabis had horror stories and how they had to hide and escape to Pakistan while they were trying to migrate to Pakistan. But overall majority Sikhs are nice people and friends of muslims.
@Mohammed:
"lol you are confusing Kashmiri freedom fighters, with Indian funded via afghanistan groups formed as result of Drone Strikes"
Mohammed, if you want to live in denial and delusion, that is your right and choice. This article and the whole world community has spoken out that Pakistani state has been sponsoring terrorism as a foreign policy tools though its creation and support of outfits like the Haqqani group, LeT etc. What the global communtiy thinks is what counts.
@spud: Don;t know your history. Pakistani sacrifices defeated the Soviets in Afghanistan. In fact many of the front line fighters were Pakistanis when a lot of the Afghanis were too busy smuggling themselves into the Western countries to claim asylum while we were stupid enough to fight their war!
@pak muslim: If America is foe of Pakistan !! Then you first have to sort out your finances and survive without AID !! As for the rest of your illusions, well ! No one forced anything on you,!! Pakistan has always been willing Partner in all the adventures Americans have conducted in the region and they have always been paid handsomely for their services. So you really should not complain on that front, and if people of Pakistan feel this strongly about it, then why give mandate to any party to rule, whose policies are in conflict with general opinion??? Perhaps that's where the problem is for People of this Nation !!!
This website must be restricted to pakistanis only.. otherwise its going to be a one like youtube.
@Forever-Pakistani: Brother, why are Indians to the East and West bothering you ? Today like ants they are everywhere - East, West, North and South. By the way, the World seems to like these ants and what they have to offer. Global Investors also seem to to falling over each other wanting to invest Trillions into Antland. Are the termites feeling the Heat ??
Once we cut off relations with US, be ready to loose Baluchistan because US had to be an access to Afghanistan. Our nuclear weapons are only show pieces, the world will pounce upon us if we target them on any country except our own. We have to bear the blame and insults until we create strong economy and suppress religious fundamentalism. The country will still go down into a black hole if majority people support forces of religious fundamentalism and tyranny. The media should play a greater and not a destructive role as of now. The leaders should have guts to take bold decisions, put the country on right track.
@Sputnik: How can Indian propaganda make Pakistan look bad or vice versa. It is actions that speak, not words. You are asking the Pakistani media to do a better PR job but honestly they have done the best they can. A good product may sell better without advertising but good advertising cannot sell a bad product beyond a point. What handlers are you talking about ? Today technology is so advanced there is nowhere to hide. With the advancement of Technology duplicity should have been thrown into the garbage bin but stubborn cussedness left the country with few friends. You must be a true escapist to believe the country's problems are due to external sources, unable to believe that the path chosen by oneself is the cause and unwilling to work harder to bring a positive change. Please spend time developing a better product to help your Marketing team. From :- The Marketing Team !
terrorists are Pakistan's strategic asset. till few years ago Pakistan was US's strategic asset. koi dudh ka dhula nahi hai.
@Alami Musafir: Which History are you refering to??? Yes we all are aware, of US, CIA funded the bunch of misfit arabs with arms and money while Pakistan provided them with logistics and training to take on Soviet expansion in Afghanistan !! Pakistan was not a reluctant partner at the time, they were handsomely rewarded for services rendered, to the extent that there was almost no accountability to be provided as to how they used the funds !!! The actual reason Clinton issued the order to fire cruise missile, were in fact in the aftermath of US embassy Attacks in Kenya & Tanzania, by OBL outfits, and further attack on US Navy ship in Yeman. The missile attack was launched to take out OBL, who at that time was already back in Afghanistan. Nothing new there as its always been US policy to go after anyone who presents them danger !!! In regards to 9/11, we all know the facts, regardless of what one wants to believe !!! So which other history would you like to enlighten me with ? The fact of the matter is that Pakistan does not have ability to think long term or the impact of its policies !!! They have always chased Aid and Arms first, and never really taken into consideration the social impact of its policies on the Nation !!!
@Aamir Hameed: but friend can't you see who is now living in heaven who is living in hell? Do you really know who can make the big difference?
@maestro:
Remember, finally you are eating and drinking from the same toilet!
Three Cheers for the Tribune Newspaper's moderation team, the most user friendly of all South Asian newspapers.
Allah aap loggon ko lambi zindagi dayen, hameysha khush aur tandarust rakhain, daulat dayen aur apkay khaabon ko haqeekat banaaen.
@Sputnik: We do not need a propoganda machine to defame you. You are doing an excellent job yourself. All others have to do is watch from the sidelines.
@ frank - the difference between pakistan's alliance with america and india's alliance with russia is that while the former alliance was more like a "giving grant" scenario while the latter was based on purchase of arms and economic co-operation... yes i agree that to certain extent india was allied to russia but that was not because of being anti-american but because of the socialistic principles of nehru which matched with that of russia .... also, india never participated in any war with russia unlike pakistan which religiously helped america during soviet-afghan war !!
see today, india is one of the largest importers of oil both from saudi and iran as well as the largest buyer of arms and ammunitions from israel and nobody dares to question us !!
......and you'll have links with those who have links. Its the way of the world.
Haqqani network offers security to Pakistani officials, UN officials or journalist going to N Waziristan area with permission of the local authorities. And if anyone in them is involved in a terrorist activity they are punished by political administration in tribal areas of Pakistan. USA and Europe recogonized a group in Libya similarly they did it against Soviet Union, India used Tamils in Sri Lanka and the whole third world is filled with terrorists funded by developed countries. Nothern Allies terrorist who kill people by putting them in containers and fire upon them are allies of USA who are the biggies threat to Pakistan even bigger then India. Afghanistan's army include war lords who fought against Russia but only non pushtuns. We call them terrorist but USA doesn't.
Regime change is a common word used in American politics and while doing that in a country they need an alternative force in that country. Pakistan doesn't support any group and this idea.
Haqqani network or LET had very close ties with Pakistan Army as they fought together against Russia and India but that doesn't mean that Pakistan accept them to destablize any country as they were always used in Wars. There is still a difference between a para military group used in a conflict by an army which are traditionally called scouts and terrorists who bomb civilians. There was an incident in Afghanistan where Nato soldier was supplying weapons to a group. Can USA justify this act if not then just pointing fingers at Pakistan is not a solution to this mess she created.
Against India local people first went to war along with Pakistan Army in 1947-48 when Pakistan was created and British authorities gave all military equipment to India and didn't leave anything for Pakistan. So ordinary men sent by ruling people defended their families, homes and tried to librate Kashmir. When sikhs were killing muslims we did needed armed men. Similarly when pushtuns were murdered during Soviet invasion they did needed armed men to defend.
But using a force against a country is not acceptable the way Afghanistan and its intelligence agency is creating terrorists and sending them to Pakistan and bombing Pakistani bazaars.
Pakistan cannot be replaced till the Americans stay in Afghanistan. But, what about after 2014 when the Americans leave?
US will scapegoat Pakistan, reason or no reason. Unless Pakistan bends over backwards to satisfy the US, which is very unlikely given the rabid anti-Americanism, US might take strict economic actions against Pakistan.
@maestro: Your delusional logic knows no bound !!! The pronlem you people have is that, you like their Dollars, gifts and toys they give you, however are reluctant to follow any of their advice or policies !!! Well nothing is free !!! There is always a price attach to anything that anyone provides and high time Pakistan understands that fact. As its not your god given right that US taxpayers should keep feeding you !!! Pakistan lost over 35,000 lives !! Well whose fault is it and who was responsible for them??? You need to grasp some reality, as it seems quite obvious that you simply do not possess any, with your rather lame satement about Pakistan defeated Soviet Union in Afghanistan !!!! Pakistan can not even deal with havoc and mayham in their own backyard, let alone deal with anyone else!!!! Deal with Karachi first, i am sure the people of that city are crying out for some stability in their lives !!!
When Americans support Israel despite all the misery and hell they cause to the Palestinians, so I ask myself what is difference here. Both sides are supporting who kill
from india
pakistan should have opted for russia like india …it would have helped in the long run !!
pakistan should have opted for non-aligned movement like india ...it would have helped in the long run !!
Country - Formerly Pakistan now Talibanistan.
Ruled by - Sirajuddin Haqqani, the great warrior admired by all Pakistanis.
Achievement - Implemented Sharia across Talibanistan and took the country to 17th Century.
Source of Income - Selling of Nuclear weapons to all terrorist organisation in the world.
If someone tells me 'I have no other choice but to be friends with you, it's my fate,'....
.......I will treat this as an extreme insult to me !
Americans so cunning nation,first they create situation,then iterfare and at the end grasp.Sometimes sucessfull and sometimes shameful failure becomes their fate.If you(American) leave your habits the whole world can become a heaven.You use the wrong methods to eradicate the wrongs which is outcome of your ownself.Please dont cry for the moon.Please stop this drama of friends and foes.
in my openion wht all did usa for pak in early 80s in afghan war they used pak people they defaeted soviets and at any stage usa said once somethg abt kashmir in pak favr wht india did for u compare with pak leave ur double standards u had only one 9/11 attk and u destroy afghanistan its ur good luck if any other country have ths much of power u would be histroy we dont mind leave us the state in which we are and dont look bk to help us hw many lives we sacrifice in ur war in terror and u keep sayg as ........ saz need more so plz wake up and if u wants to help then help for nothg dont expect anythg in mjy personel openion ur not trust worthy.
only the stupid and naive leadership of pakistan doesn't understand or doesnot want to...... that america is so dependent for her survival on pak....... yet the rulers keep betraying the ppl with threat of slavery and stone age......
The US always adopted 'carrot and stick' policy towards Pakistan, using it as a tool. It was admitted by the US policy-makers.
Pak-US relation at the moment "A drowning man wants to get rid of his blanket , but he can't "
Pakistan is Sugar Coated Pill of Americans.
@Truthbetold: lol you are confusing Kashmiri freedom fighters, with Indian funded via afghanistan groups formed as result of Drone Strikes
@Realist.: What makes you a realist when you dont see the problem at our end?
@Bilal: I dont think any Indian here has yet commented under pretext of being Pakistani. But whatever makes you feel good. I am Indian and I am going to comment. Hopefully inspite of your highly developed senses like smelling hatred you will not take my comment below as one out of hatred. But again I can just request , you will act according to your nature :) @ Pakistani friends : Take this as veiled warning in form of frustration by USA. If lessons are learned from history , this is called laying blue prints and building up case slowly and steadily for future aggression. You can shout all you like or thump your chest as proudly as you want, but sanity says don't mess with USA, there is no pride or bravery in it just foolish attempt and wishful thinking. The day USA trains it's guns at you there will be no hope. None of your nuclear or strategic assets or Chinese friendship will be able to protect you. And that is an unfortunate truth. Look everywhere they had laid their foot, they have scorch earth policy. And seriously they will find way to get across your nuclear threat. Your utmost dependency and keeping yourself wide open for them with hope that they will exchange the favor by keeping your favorite time pass India in check has absolutely failed. End result is that you are so much in debt to USA and allowed yourself so much available to them that now they almost own you. There is no freedom or respect for your life cause your leaders sold it to them. It might prick and you will want to thump your chest again, but understand what I am saying. Peace to all.
In order to breakup Pakistan one needs to have ties with it. Until CIA and banana republic politicians are kicked out, there is no hope.
Pakistan must do what it needs to do to safeguard its interests in the region. Every country safeguards their interests, Pakistan must do the same. Pakistan must have a very friendly PRO-PAKISTAN governement in Afghanistan because that border we have with Afghanistan is nothing but terrain, we dont need another enemy in our western borders. To my knowledge, Pakistan had best relations with Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Under Karzai, we have our worst relations with Afghanistan, mainly because he has invited so many indians to build indian consulates near the border with Pakistan. Having indians in both our eastern and western borders is the worst thing imaginable for Pakistan. So Pakistan must do what it can to make the indians disappear from our western borders.
Once Ameerikans leave Afghanistan, will Americans still feel no alternative to Pakistan? I doubt.
Indian propaganda machine is great in defaming Pakistan and convincing America about Kashmir. Pakistani government and media need to get on the stick and get to work in making India accountable and in exposing all the Indian terror handlers, sub handlers and their puppets causing Mehem in Pakistan in each and every city especially in Balochistan, Peshawer and Karachi. They cannot afford to have India's propaganda machine muffle their voices and make Pakistan look bad Internationally. These terrorist are loaded with mahem causing weaponry that is obviously funded by India. While people in Pakistan could not afford food to eat how could any Pakistani afford all that weaponry in a nation faced with poverty and starvation. Wake up Pakistani PR, Foreign Relations, Media and Authorities do your job effectively and seriously!!!
For US, 'Pakistani aik aisie haddie hai joh na ugglie ja rahie or na nigglie.' It might just stuck in their throat and choke them to death.
@spud Please do your research before you criticise maestro. To assist you, I quote White House Counterterrorism Czar Richard Clarke:
"With the help of the Pakistani ISI, the Afghani mujahedeen defeated the Soviet Union, forcing their withdrawal."
You can read all about it yourself, here: http://www.justiceblind.com/911why.html
@fahim: I am glad you admit that. However, if more people had expressed their views against use of terror as a foreign policy tool about 20 years ago, thing might have been different in Pakistan today. Only after the terrorists started attacking Pakistan more and more Pakistanis are coming out against state sponsorship of terrorists. Even the most liberal voices never used to express condemnation even as far back as three years ago.
I note that my original post and the post that I answered to have been removed by the moderators here even though both my and the other commenter's posts were pointing to the truth. Such an attitude is what must be avoided and instead people should be allowed to speak the truth.
@Realist.: Both!!! Incompetent : because it took them so long and they are still right there from where they started after 9/11. Involved: Because now they have developed TTP to destabilize Pakistan.
@Amjad Well said ! Its hard to decide who is more to blame though, that superbrain of a dictator who got us into this mess (and now has the cheek to plan on returning to create an even bigger mess), or the short-sighted Chowdhry saab who plucked him from his well deserved obscurity and placed him as head of the army.
"No alternative to ties with Pakistan" That's another way of saying - "do more".
Sorry to Say its a Complete Intelligence Failure of CIA. Its a fake News from CIA to Satisfied your Needs. Thier is No Truth in this News. Pakistan's Intelligence Agencies are Working Hard and their eyes on Everyone even on President So Collect Right News Again. Everytime you Said same type of Comments to Pakistan. My Question from Higher Officials of USA that Only Pakistan is looking on the Map of the World for this types of Comments? Stop this with Us. Be a True Friend, not Acting like Friends. If you are Our Friend then tell Us, if Enemy then also tell the Whole World. Be Brave and Stop Attacks from Behind. I think that you are doing this with Us because We are Fighting your WAR in Afghanistan? Think Deep. You said everytime that Pakistan and USA are Friends. Last Thing advice something to India that Stop Terrorism in Kashmir ...
The simple fact is that poor 'ole Leon's boss Obi won has inherited this stupid loser of a war from his predecessor, and has to stick with it to save face. It wouldn't look good if the policeman of the world was gotten the better off by a bunch of illiterate natives in oversized shirts, floppy caps, baggy pyjamas and sandals armed with small arms and homemade firecrackers. Drone or no drone this sucker is gonna wipeout yet another superpower. The Pakistanis are the equivalent of the Cambodians in the Vietnam war...remember what happened to them ?
Indians: no comments please, even though you are not using your names but the hatred against Pakistan anyone can feel/smell easily here in your comments!
@Gul Khan: Khush Keeta yei Gul Khana..
@Hedgefunder: Who invaded Afghanistan for under false pretext? Did not Iraq invasion proved to be false ? Is not that terrorism. But you are lap dancing these days in someone's lap just like your country lap danced in Soviets lap when they invaded Afghanistan. Your problem is you are not getting hold of Afghanistan as beloved Indians. believe me, Until you die , situation is not going to change there. You want to try your luck militarily in Afghanistan? Be my guest.
@G. Din: Nothing will be forgotten what? Grapes are sour?
@Cautious: Don't be a cry baby.Who is Negotiating with those Talibans now? Isn't that USA itself? make it a habit to update yourself on current affairs. So if Talibans are Terrorists then who negotiate with them is What?
@maestro: Pakistan defeated the Soviets? Dream on.
Sorry to say but these Comments are a clear Failure of CIA's Intelligence. No truth in this News. Our Agencies have eyes on Everyone even on President of Pakistan. Got Acurate News Again. My Question is from Higher Officals of United States of America that why you are doing this type of mentally torture everytime to Pakistan? what are you trying to do ? No Other Countries in the Map or just only a Pakistan on the Map. Be a True Friend Americans and stop doing this. otherwise GOD will give Us the real justice which you know very well about GOD's Justice. Last thing that Try to be a Real Friend not a Paper Friend ...
Panetta's blabberings aren't going to do anything that hasn't been done before. They're only fooling themselves with continued rhetoric. CIA created Al Qaeda, and retains ties with terrorist organizations such as Jandullah. Time to call a spade a space, the US sponsors terrorism.
As though the US has no links to these organizations! They are the ones who brought in all manner of radical from the Arab world, including OBL to destroy the Soviets in Afghanistan. After they used us, destablized our nation with refugees and weapons and let us fight the war to end the Soviets and end Cold War, they abandoned us with all these criminals. We are still picking up the pieces! We deserve billions of dollars in reparations from the West and forgiving of all loans as a small token of what Pakistan has paid but our silly politicians and silly generas are happy with the peanuts we have got! Shamefully this was all started by a dictator who sold our country so cheaply. Pakistan is the one that is being treated badly - make no mistake about this. We know who has ripped off whom in this arrangement. If the West and the US want us to be equal partners, treat us fairly and with dignity and pay us something commensurate with the sacrifices of the Pakistani nation!
It's our Nuclear weapons ! You be concerned about YOURS !
There called "strategic assets" - code name that Pakistan uses for terrorist.
Surprise! Surprise! When it is all over: Nothing will be forgotten, None will be forgotten!
truth behold... tell us something new sir. All of us in Pak knows this since our childhood.
This is very disgusting.
I don’t understand that why US government point out all the problems with the Government of Pakistan and with people of Pakistan?
It is time that US government should change its mindset and think positive about Pakistan and Pakistanis.
The government and people of Pakistan have given unprecedented scarifies while fighting US war on terror in Pakistan and hundreds of our Army personnel and civilians have died by the members of Al-Qaeda and banned outfits.
Despite doing all this, every time US point finger towards Government of Pakistan and people of Pakistan. Is there any end to it or not? For God’s sake try to speak the truth and see the ground realities.
Dont blame Pakistan for your defeat in Afghanistan, Haqqani Network is an excuse. Admit your defeat and leave the region.
Yawn !!! Anything new Mr.Panetta? Same old rhetoric against Pakistan. Yawn again!!
So ? Americans got no Links with Taliban In Afghanistan ? & What about those elements who from afghanistan attacked Pakistani Forces ? ISAF is either Incompetent or INVOLVED.
Well.....no surprise at all