Context
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani told parliamentarians that although there was a possibility of the US initiating a ground offensive in the tribal belt of North Waziristan, the western power would not make any such decision lightly. He further added that US should focus its efforts on Afghanistan and that there was no convincing argument that an operation in North Waziristan would change the ground reality in Afghanistan.
Briefing the parliaments defense committee, Kiyani also stated that pressure on Islamabad from Washington had grown, which was evident from the ISAF and Afghan troop buildup along the Afghan-Pak border.
The US and Pakistan have been at odds over action against the Haqqani network operating in the country. The US insists Islamabad needs to take tougher action against the group. General Kiyani’s comments have come a few days before a high level US delegation, to include Hillary Clinton, is to visit Pakistan.
