Government deliberating military operation in N Waziristan: Rehman Malik
Interior minister says North Waziristan has become hub of terrorists; government, military to decide about operation.
KARACHI:
Terming North Waziristan a hub of terrorists, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Friday that the government is seriously considering a military operation in the tribal badlands, reported DawnNews on Friday.
Speaking to the media at Karachi airport, Malik referred to the Taliban as “oppressors” and said that the entire nation was united against them, the report stated.
The report further quoted Malik as saying that the terrorists had not just attacked 14-year-old child rights activist Malala Yousafzai but had attacked the entire nation. He added that the government and the military will decided whether there is a need for an operation in North Waziristan or not.
The US has long been calling on Pakistan to go after the deadliest Afghan insurgents, the Haqqani network, which is believed to be based in North Waziristan.
Islamabad had voiced concerns when US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta disclosed that the Pakistani military was planning to start an operation against militants in North Waziristan, which invited strong criticism in Pakistan.
Pakistan government and military has maintained that they will not be pushed into launching an operation in North Waziristan, and that troops will only be sent in once if and when the state feels the need.
Terming North Waziristan a hub of terrorists, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Friday that the government is seriously considering a military operation in the tribal badlands, reported DawnNews on Friday.
Speaking to the media at Karachi airport, Malik referred to the Taliban as “oppressors” and said that the entire nation was united against them, the report stated.
The report further quoted Malik as saying that the terrorists had not just attacked 14-year-old child rights activist Malala Yousafzai but had attacked the entire nation. He added that the government and the military will decided whether there is a need for an operation in North Waziristan or not.
The US has long been calling on Pakistan to go after the deadliest Afghan insurgents, the Haqqani network, which is believed to be based in North Waziristan.
Islamabad had voiced concerns when US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta disclosed that the Pakistani military was planning to start an operation against militants in North Waziristan, which invited strong criticism in Pakistan.
Pakistan government and military has maintained that they will not be pushed into launching an operation in North Waziristan, and that troops will only be sent in once if and when the state feels the need.