Pakistan under renewed pressure

Sources say CIA chief trying to convince Pakistan’s military leadership for an all-out operation in North Waziristan.


Kamran Yousaf September 30, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has come under renewed pressure from the US to launch a decisive offensive against the Haqqani network in North Waziristan Agency after western intelligence reports claimed to have uncovered an al Qaeda terror plot to target the UK, Germany and France.

On Wednesday, American CIA chief Leon Panetta began a crucial visit as part of Washington’s efforts to persuade Pakistan’s military and civil leadership to go after Taliban militants in North Waziristan.

Panetta’s first engagement was a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, where he is learnt to have shared intelligence on the alleged al Qaeda plot, which Western spy outfits insist was being planned in Pakistan’s tribal belt.

Neither side publically commented on the meeting, but official sources confirmed that discussions were focused on North Waziristan. Panetta was informed that Pakistan was examining the western intelligence reports but had yet to come across any conclusive evidence suggesting al Qaeda plot to target parts of Europe being hatched in the tribal areas.

Sources said the CIA chief, who is on a two-day visit to Islamabad, was trying to convince Pakistan’s military leadership for an all-out operation in North Waziristan in the wake of the new al Qaeda terror plot.

The military dismissed Western intelligence reports about the new al Qaeda plot. “We don’t have any credible information from sources that any such planning is taking place or terrorists are planning anything in North Waziristan,” military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told AFP. “There is no credible information about this,” Abbas said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30th, 2010.

COMMENTS (2)

Sultan Ahmed. | 13 years ago | Reply From head to bottom in Pakistan looks afraid on increasing the drone attack in the Pakistani tribal areas where recently more than 100 people are targeted including civilians. Pakistan Army,operating in the remote tribal areas has divided in work of flood victims but in spite of it over holding the insurgents acting in and around the region. As for as haqqani Group is concerned it has easy approach to all cities of the country which show fast reaction after the operation done by the armed forces so flexibility created on it by the high ups can not be disregard it is natural but the united states insisting for crucial action which impossible to some extend so it is the reason to extend the drone attacks. The situation has become very sensitive international law doe's permit any country to violate sovereignty of other independent state pakistan is a independent state as recognized by the world and it is member of the world body. So it is need of the time to sit together and have negotiate the matter concerned and adopt a comprehensive policy dealing with the situation that is very sensitive and alarming. Negative approach is not favor of any partner or ally against the war on terror.
Sam | 13 years ago | Reply US is only interested in spreading Islamophobia and causing harm to Pakistan and the region. The only solution is to kick the US out of the region and work for peace and stability with the neighbours.
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