Islamabad: The Pakistan Army is ready to
address US concerns on the Haqqani network but has no
intention of going after the militants in North Waziristan
tribal region where the Taliban faction has its headquarters,
according to a media report on Saturday.
At a meeting chaired by army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez
Kayani in Rawalpindi yesterday, Pakistan`s top army commanders
expressed their willingness to lower tensions with the US by
narrowing down differences on the Haqqani network, The Express
Tribune newspaper quoted its sources as saying.
"Pakistan wants a constructive engagement with the US to
deal with the Haqqani issue," an unnamed official familiar
with the development said.
The official ruled out the possibility of a military
operation in North Waziristan Agency.
"Use of force is not the answer to every problem," the
official said, repeating a recent statement by Kayani.
Addressing troops participating in a Pakistan-Saudi
Arabia joint military exercise in Mangla on Thursday, Kayani
reportedly said military operations were not the ideal way of
dealing with every issue.
His remarks are being seen as Pakistan`s hardening stance
on the conducting an operation in North Waziristan despite
mounting US pressure.
It is unclear what exactly Pakistan is offering to the US
as an alternative to a military operation to deal with the
Haqqanis, the report said.
An unnamed senior military official referred to the
Foreign Ministry`s last news briefing in which the
spokesperson said Pakistan`s policy was guided by its national
interests.
"We have our own national interests...we have certain red
lines and we are very clear that we won’t compromise on them,"
the official said.
The army`s corps commanders yesterday discussed the
implications of the strategic partnership agreement signed by
Afghanistan and India this week.
The commanders voiced concern at allegations by senior
Afghan officials that the Inter-Services Intelligence agency
was involved in the assassination of former Afghan President
Bhurhanuddin Rabbani.
A brief statement issued by the Inter-Services Public
Relations after the meeting only said yesterday`s meeting was
part of "regular monthly meetings".
The meeting took a comprehensive overview of "routine
professional matters aimed at enhancing proficiency of the
army", it said.
In a separate development, US Ambassador Cameron Munter
met Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar yesterday.
A brief statement issued from the Foreign Office said:
"Bilateral relations and the regional situation were
discussed.
Both agreed to work together for strengthening bilateral
cooperation and for coordination on regional issues."
PTI
