US sticks to Policy of dealing with terrorism in Afghanistan through Pakistan

US Defence bill has approved $900 million (Rs 6,121 Crore) as economic assistance to Pakistan to deal with terrorism especially the Afghan guerrilla insurgent group  Haqqani network.

Haqqani network succeeded in pushing back the Soviet invaders under the leadership of Jalalludin Haqqani (now Sirajuddin Haqqani) and is now engaged in securing the withdrawal of US and coalition forces mostly of NATO nations  from Afghanistan.

Basically US began war against terrorism in Afghanistan against Al-Qaeda after the 9/11 terror attack. But Al-Qaeda and Haqqani Network are intertwined in Afghanistan-Pakistan region and are committed to bringing about sharia law in Afghanistan. Al Qaeda which looks after global terror operations  and Haqqani which is mainly responsible for regional terror activities have allies in Taliban, Tehrik-e- Taliban Pakistan, Tehrik-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi.

The US House of representatives passed a consensus $900 Million assistance to Pakistan out of which $450 Million will be reimbursed upon certificate from Pentagon about Islamabad’s actions against terrorism, mainly the Haqqani network.

US policy has consistently been to deal terrorism in Afghanistan through Pakistan because it had some years back witnessed a savage  attack on Pakistan army public school in which 140 students were killed  and also attacks on military academy.

Pakistan has been carrying out military operations named Zarb-e-Azb against foreign or local militant groups across the Durrand Line bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan. These two countries have very intricate relationship calling this as brotherly bonding as Ghani and Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif share friendly ties.

In a congratulatory phone call to US President-elect Donald Trump, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had reiterated dedication of Afghan security forces in defending Afghan territorial integrity  and expressed admiration for the sacrifices of US and Nato troops. Both Trump and Ghani emphasized their joint commitment to fight terrorism.

Trump’s phone call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assuring him of working closely with Pakistan shows his approach in Asia. Donald has chosen Michael Flynn as his national security advisor, who was under investigation in 2010 for sharing sensitive intelligence data with Pakistan about Haqqani network.

Article Courtesy : Arti Bali, Senior Journalist & Analyst