The former US spy chief in Islamabad, Robert Grenier, said that in order to deal with the problem of militancy, Pakistan should put together a comprehensive programme that it will help the government establish the full control of the state over all of Pakistani territory, in an apparent reference to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
The advice from an official who has been closely involved with US counter-terrorism policy in Pakistan and Afghanistan comes against the backdrop of President Asif Ali Zardari’s efforts to integrate Fata more closely into the regular governance structure. The tribal areas currently exist in a constitutional purgatory: recognised as Pakistani territory but one where most Pakistani laws do not apply.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2011.
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