Aizaz fends off Afghan, US criticism on Haqqani Network

[FalconsForPeace]

Pakistan has dismissed American and Afghan concerns that its ongoing North Waziristan operation isn’t achieving the desired results against the Haqqani network.

“Regarding fears that the Haqqani network is being let off the hook, I would like to reiterate that the operation is targeting all terrorists. This has been clarified on multiple levels,” Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said.

The statement was a response to criticism by both Afghanistan and the United States regarding the effectiveness of Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

At this critical juncture, he said, Pakistan needs full cooperation from Afghanistan to ensure that the fleeing militants do not cross the border and eliminate the hideouts for anti-Pakistan elements.

Responding to a question, the foreign secretary disclosed that the prime minister sent Mahmood Khan Achakzai as his special envoy to Kabul last month to prevent possible attacks by anti-Pakistan elements particularly Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Aizaz claimed that he accompanied Achakzai on the visit.

“It was important to ensure that Afghanistan is willing to extend the same degree of cooperation Pakistan has extended to help establish lasting peace. There were also reports of some kind of backlash in Afghanistan which could have drastic implications for the region and for us,” he said.

Dialogue with India

Speaking about deliberations between foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India, Aizaz said Pakistan welcomed the opportunity to hold discussions to revive dialogue to discuss pending issues.

The foreign secretary claimed he discussed ceasefire violations at the Line of Control (LoC) during his telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart. He informed the Indian foreign secretary that Pakistani troops merely reacted to fire from other side of the border.


Targeting all terrorists: Aizaz fends off Afghan, US criticism – The Express Tribune

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Here is some more "plain speaking" from an alleged anonymous Pakistani official about allegations regarding the "escape of the Haqqani network and other fighters from NW". Whether the "Pakistani official" being quoted is real or not, the arguments attributed to him are sound:
=============================
... A senior Pakistani official insisted Thursday that Pakistan wants the Haqqani network destroyed, but that to a certain degree it’s in the hands of Afghanistan, NATO and the United States.

“I’m a little amused by these remarks,” the official said, speaking with a small group of reporters under condition of anonymity. “For anyone who knows the terrain, 50,000 on an average cross each day 2,600 kilometers of border, unmanned and unmonitored. Here I see with all your technology and resources that you have not been able to secure your border,” the official said, referring to the current influx of undocumented and unaccompanied minors.

“No. 2, for weeks and months it was being debated in Pakistan publicly that if the dialogue process fails the government will go into military operations,” the official continued. “The Haqqani or others were prepared to flee the country. Third, when they were fleeing, what was the the leadership of the U.S. and NATO and ISAF [International Security Assistance Force] doing? Did we tell them not to take these people out? In fact, sir, we requested the Americans to help us take them out when they were fleeing and if they were fleeing.”

The official said that Pakistan warned U.S. officials early on, as they were preparing military options, that some militants might flee.

“You have the technology, you have the means, you are sitting across the border, please take them out,” the official said. “Please eliminate them. you’d be doing us and yourselves a great good. Please do not permit these people to disappear. Take them out, eliminate them, capture them. We use the terminology used by many people in the past: There should be a hammer and anvil. the Pakistan hammer saw no evidence of the anvil on the other side.”

It makes no sense, the official said, for Pakistan to risk so many lives and spend so much money just to “let them escape,” and that “militants, whatever hue and color they may be, are a threat to Pakistan.”

Did Pakistan Let Haqqani Network Slip Away on Purpose?

 

[KalaGhoda]

everything said and done, today Pakistan needs it's "good taliban" the most. More than ever. Zarb e azb is nothing much more than flexing its military muscle. letting them taliban know that going against pakistan isn't good foeir health. but pakistan will try to not hurt those elements who will follow pakistani state interests. these concerns expressed by the american and afghan are valid and no amount of wishful thinking and denial is gonna ground realities and it's needs. so there..

 

[KalaGhoda]

in fact if you follow the negotiations, the slow open failure of the talks which were aimed to seperate the "good taliban" from the "bad taliban" and then a brief lull during which the bad taliban and the good ones were allowed to leave and then air strikes, and cordoning off the terrorists, letting go of some..targeting the uzbeks and the uighyurs specifically...zarbeazb is nothing but a exercise to get rid of the anti pakistani elements and scaring off the potential anti **** sentiments with the intention of going back to pre 9/11 state of affairs once the NATO withdrawal is complete.

zarb e azb was never a decisive battle against taliban/ttp anyway like it has been touted to be.

 

[Sinnerman108]

The US && NATO have selfishly followed their interest;
They left us when they had to.
and hunted Al Qaeeda and Haqani Talibans only;
Whilst letting TTP take refuge and providing them with enough knowledge then they had to.

so, why do heaven's fall when Pakistan does the same ?

 

[KalaGhoda]

The US && NATO have selfishly followed their interest;
They left us when they had to.
and hunted Al Qaeeda and Haqani Talibans only;
Whilst letting TTP take refuge and providing them with enough knowledge then they had to.

so, why do heaven's fall when Pakistan does the same ?

the basic reason why Pakistan has to come down an exercise like zarbeazb is because the pakistani authorities took side with elements it really should have fought with in the name of pakistani interests. no wonder it backfired...and so will this exercise. zarbeazb will end up PA being like an occupation force in NW. long term affair. calculate the negatives of it in the wrong run and think about why youv are being forced to do this ? cause of taking the wrong side. again. of not being decisive again.

 

[karan.1970]

I find this anvil argument pretty lame really. If Pakistan is serious in eliminating terrorists on Pakistani soil, why do they want a 3rd party anvil. Why not have its own forces on the border disallow egress of the terrorists to Afghanistan. Don't tell me that Pakistan does not man the Af- Pak border.

 

[IceCold]

I find this anvil argument pretty lame really. If Pakistan is serious in eliminating terrorists on Pakistani soil, why do they want a 3rd party anvil. Why not have its own forces on the border disallow egress of the terrorists to Afghanistan. Don't tell me that Pakistan does not man the Af- Pak border.

So according to you securing the border is only Pakistan's responsibility? Do you even know that Pak Afghan border is virtually non existent and any attempts made by Pakistan to secure are met with strong resistance by Afghanistan under the pretext of dividing the Pashtuns.
Don't let the word Pakistan cloud your judgement and any signs of rational thinking.

 

[karan.1970]

So according to you securing the border is only Pakistan's responsibility? Do you even know that Pak Afghan border is virtually non existent and any attempts made by Pakistan to secure are met with strong resistance by Afghanistan under the pretext of dividing the Pashtuns.
Don't let the word Pakistan cloud your judgement and any signs of rational thinking.

No its not only Pakistan's responsibility. However letting criminals escape from your land into a foreign country is your responsibility. And do not ignore the big IF in my post. Really if Pakistan is spending so much money and man power in this operation, why would it want to rely on a 3rd party to close the trap on the terrorists. Its a mighty stupid operational plan to attack the terrorists from 3 sides, leaving the 4th open on the pretext of that being the afghan border. There is nothing that should stop Pakistan from setting up the so called "anvil" forces on its side of the border (which should be there anyway to prevent terrorists from coming into Pakistan from Afghanistan). Unless this is all but a big farce..

 

[EagleEyes]

Karan is absolutely correct. Pakistan should be entirely responsible to control militants going in and out of its territory. Not until we adopt that mentality, we will continue to have lawless land capable of producing terrorism not just in Pakistan but abroad.

Afghanisatan is incapable of doing this, Americans with all their technology, soldiers, and defence budget were/are unable to do this. But we must, if that means cross border strikes on the pretext of drone attacks.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

I find this anvil argument pretty lame really. If Pakistan is serious in eliminating terrorists on Pakistani soil, why do they want a 3rd party anvil. Why not have its own forces on the border disallow egress of the terrorists to Afghanistan. Don't tell me that Pakistan does not man the Af- Pak border.

That's funny, because American and Indian commentators never tire of blaming Pakistan for the "escape" of the Taliban, OBL and associated AQ elements from Afghanistan when the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001.

But, if you really want to stick to your argument, you are essentially validating Pakistan's position over the years that the rise of extremism and terrorism in Pakistan (since 2001) is a result of flawed US military policies, that allowed Taliban and Al Qaeda extremists to escape from Afghanistan and pollute FATA.

So make up your mind, which one is it?

 

[KalaGhoda]

So according to you securing the border is only Pakistan's responsibility? Do you even know that Pak Afghan border is virtually non existent and any attempts made by Pakistan to secure are met with strong resistance by Afghanistan under the pretext of dividing the Pashtuns.
Don't let the word Pakistan cloud your judgement and any signs of rational thinking.

just because it's the practised line, please do not plead innocence on pakistan's behalf when it comes to the porous durand line, it's embarassing and shows baseless jingoism. it works very well in pakistan's behalf too..how else have the "good taliban" (the aforementioned haqqani network led taliban ) been able to hurt NATO forces ? by slipping back to pakistan using that same porous durand line since 2001 and doing that since afghan jihad. how else were the same good taliban (whom pakistan later wants to use against afghanistan and india) able to slip away to afghanistan before this "decisive" and "assured generally anti terror" zarbeazb. see how PA uses symbols of islam to it's advantage, as if islam is on PA's side. the Azb sword is arab heritage. you think people can't think rationally ? come onn...

 

[IceCold]

That's funny, because American and Indian commentators never tire of blaming Pakistan for the "escape" of the Taliban, OBL and associated AQ elements from Afghanistan when the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001.

But, if you really want to stick to your argument, you are essentially validating Pakistan's position over the years that the rise of extremism and terrorism in Pakistan (since 2001) is a result of flawed US military policies, that allowed Taliban and Al Qaeda extremists to escape from Afghanistan and pollute FATA.

So make up your mind, which one is it?

Couldn't have said any better.

 

[IceCold]

just because it's the practised line, please do not plead innocence on pakistan's behalf when it comes to the porous durand line, it's embarassing and shows baseless jingoism. it works very well in pakistan's behalf too..how else have the "good taliban" (the aforementioned haqqani network led taliban ) been able to hurt NATO forces ? by slipping back to pakistan using that same porous durand line since 2001 and doing that since afghan jihad. how else were the same good taliban (whom pakistan later wants to use against afghanistan and india) able to slip away to afghanistan before this "decisive" and "assured generally anti terror" zarbeazb. see how PA uses symbols of islam to it's advantage, as if islam is on PA's side. the Azb sword is arab heritage. you think people can't think rationally ? come onn...

I do not need to plead any innocence here I am talking about facts, which you Indians have a habit of negating when it comes to Pakistan. Pakistan is and always was at the fore front of advocating making durand line a permanent border. Why does Afghanistan object? The good and the bad taliban analogy is something made in the west and while your fellow country men is arguing that Pakistan should alone be responsible for its side why is the same not true for Afghanistan, NATO & US? And they regularly blame Pakistan for this.

Pakistan share a very large porous border with Afghanistan, India does not, it is only logical for Pakistan to want a friendly government in place who a) represents the majority Pathustuns and b) who does not allow its soil to be used against Pakistan. I am surprised that you guys are so naive that you expect Pakistan to work contrary to her interests.

No its not only Pakistan's responsibility. However letting criminals escape from your land into a foreign country is your responsibility. And do not ignore the big IF in my post. Really if Pakistan is spending so much money and man power in this operation, why would it want to rely on a 3rd party to close the trap on the terrorists. Its a mighty stupid operational plan to attack the terrorists from 3 sides, leaving the 4th open on the pretext of that being the afghan border. There is nothing that should stop Pakistan from setting up the so called "anvil" forces on its side of the border (which should be there anyway to prevent terrorists from coming into Pakistan from Afghanistan). Unless this is all but a big farce..

Make up your mind like Agnostic said. If it is our responsibility to not let anyone escape from our side, than you also agree that it was the US and NATO responsibility to not let OBL and Others escape from tora bora and into Pakistan. So while Pakistan is regularly criticize for this, the rules suddenly change when it comes to Pakistan.
So in a nut shell and as per Indians it is our responsibility to secure our side of the border and again it is our responsibility to make sure no one escapes from Afghanistan to Pakistan and while NATO and US and Afghanistan are exempted from every thing.

 

[KalaGhoda]

I do not need to plead any innocence here I am talking about facts, which you Indians have a habit of negating when it comes to Pakistan. Pakistan is and always was at the fore front of advocating making durand line a permanent border. Why does Afghanistan object? The good and the bad taliban analogy is something made in the west and while your fellow country men is arguing that Pakistan should alone be responsible for its side why is the same not true for Afghanistan, NATO & US? And they regularly blame Pakistan for this.
Pakistan share a very large porous border with Afghanistan, India does not, it is only logical for Pakistan to want a friendly government in place who a) represents the majority Pathustuns and b) who does not allow its soil to be used against Pakistan. I am surprised that you guys are so naive that you expect Pakistan to work contrary to her interests.

Of course Pakistan is responsible it's side of Durand line...who else gonna do it for you ? PA was asking for money some days back for protecting its own soil in NW..if that is logical for you ? no doubt your demand for a secure clearly demarcated Durand line is not sincere at all. Tomorrow Afghanistan will rightfully demand it's land back from the Pakistan based on this reason.

Pakistan doesn't care what happens to Afghanistan. All right ? in action and in so many words pakistani establishment and the pakistani awam has proved it. Gen Zia has been quoted during the afghan jihad " Water needs to boil at the right temperature". You have destroyed Afghanistan as it is known, played them on tribal lines, kept them divided...in the name of pakistani interests ? Very wrong interests. You think an Afghani today when he sits and thinks back about the last 25 years of afghani history, he will feel love towards you ? You ARE working against pakistani interests too when you hurt afghani interests. I don't care whether you accept that it or not, the whole world knows.. it was pakistan who introduces good taliban and bad taliban after homegrown tribals became anti pakistani (TTP). before TTP, they were all good talibans. here the good and bad is in respect to pakistan. This is history. read up on this forum. Just because I'm Indian doesn't make my words untrue.

So Pakistan is acting in it's interests. Correct. My point all along. Why the denial in media and to portray Zarb-e-Azb as a defining military operation against all taliban ? This is lying. You agree ?