Islamabad, Mar 16: The United States will not punish key ally Pakistan for refusing to back a planned war against Iraq because Washington knows that supporting the war could undermine President Pervez Musharraf and endanger the war on terrorism, Pakistani analysts say. "The Americans need Pakistan as much as Pakistan needs the US," said Khalid Mahmud, an analyst at the state-funded institute for regional studies. "They cannot afford to retaliate against Pakistan for abstaining."

Pakistan, with a 95 per cent Muslim population, has said it would not support military action on Iraq.

The cabinet decided last Monday, according to ruling party officials, to abstain when it looked like a vote on war was imminent in the united nations security council, where Pakistan has a non-permanent seat.
Pakistan is a pivotal player in the us-led campaign to wipe out the al-Qaeda terror network and hunt down its supremo Osama bin Laden.

Islamabad's cooperation has kept it winning a host of rewards right until Friday, when Washington announced the lifting of the last remaining military sanctions imposed after General Musharraf's coup in October 1999.

After the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, Washington lifted nuclear-related sanctions on military sales and training, pumped more than one billion dollars in aid, paid $ 600 million for using Pakistani air bases and corridors, rescheduled three billion dollars debt and promised to write off $ 1 billion.
Bureau Report