WASHINGTON: A small part of Pakistan does not share TalibanÂ’s ideology and it is working to contain the threat posed by the group, said PakistanÂ’s Ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani said on Sunday.
Speaking on CNN’s programme GPS, Haqqani said, “The Pakistani intelligence services are working effectively to contain all terrorists, including Taliban from Afghanistan and Pakistan.” He brushed aside WikiLeaks reports which suggested a link between the Pakistani intelligence services and Afghan Taliban.
Haqqani said that the military field reports made online from 2004 to 2009 are “not reflective of what is happening today”. “Over the last two years Pakistan and the US have entered into a special collaborative relationship,” he said.
| Yup, 2010 is different than 2007. You can see the difference in the way the mighty Pak army has retaken control and driven out the Taliban. The Taliban are extinct, a figment of our imaginations. |
“It’s not important right now from our perspective to dwell on the history. But let’s be very clear that Pakistan does not share or appreciate the Taliban’s vision for Afghanistan or for Pakistan,” he said. “We want to make sure that we enter the 21st century as a modern Muslim and democratic nation and we do not wish for Afghanistan what we do not wish for Pakistan,” he added.
Pointing out that WikiLeaks documents are obsolete, the ambassador said that US President Barack Obama, top US military official Admiral Mike Mullen and White House National Security Adviser James Jones have all said that “what is happening today is very different” from the WikiLeaks reports.
| Which is why no one cares about Wikileaks ... |
In reply to a question about Pakistan going after Afghan Taliban thought to be hiding in North Waziristan, Haqqani said the country would not allow any Taliban to gather there. “North Waziristan is a part of sovereign Pakistan. There is no way we will let terrorists of any view or persuasion, whether originating from Pakistan or from other parts of the world or from our neighbouring countries congregate there,” he said.
| Except for Binny when he decides to travel there ... |
However, he said Pakistan would go after the Taliban
| who are extinct after all |
only when it feels it can succeed militarily. He also said all those responsible for terrorism will be dealt with and no exceptions will be made, whether it is the Pakistani Taliban or the Afghan Taliban.
The envoy drew attention to the fact that Pakistan has faced more terrorist attacks than any other country, losing civilians and security personnel including senior military officers. He said Pakistan has lost 74 ISI officials and more than 250 have been injured. “The Taliban are very clear that we are the enemy. Why should we lack the clarity that they are all our enemy,” he said. |