Hillary Clinton to mend ties with Pakistan, expected to arrive in Islamabad soon

Hillary Clinton to mend ties with Pakistan, expected to arrive in Islamabad soon

As tensions mount between Pakistan and the United States of America, there has been a new development on the political front that may see two nations reach a common agreement concerning their roles in the ‘War on Terror’. Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, is expected to arrive in Pakistan on late Thursday and there is a sentiment of relief amongst experts as the trip is being termed a bid to mend ties. She will arrive in Islamabad on Thursday, October 20, to discuss various matters with the Pakistan Leadership.

Both nations are currently unhappy with each other as the US military is intensifying its assault operation in the Waziristan region. The US government has openly declared that segments within the Pakistan Government and Armed Forces are assisting militants in conducting violent operations against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Afghan Forces in Afghanistan.

The Inter Services Intelligence has been blamed for the recent escalation in attacks across the border and the Pakistan Government has been quick to deny such accusations. While the blame game ensues, the US President, Barrack Obama, is keen to negotiate a peace deal in the Afghanistan region before the general elections.

Hillary Clinton has hinted on involving the ‘Haqqani Network’ in the peace deal. However the group has been blamed for much of the violence in Afghanistan and there is criticism at involving the violent organization in the peace deal. The ISI has been accused of assisting the network and there has been emphasis made on a Pakistan Army incursion into the Waziristan region to solve the issue.

The US government is trying to flush out the Haqqani Network in the region and many experts believe it is a tactic to bring the militant group to the negotiating table. Drone Attacks have increased in the area and the US troops have set up a military base near the border region of Afghanistan. Security Checkpoints have also been erected along the fences to limit incursions into Afghanistan.

Since the Pakistan Army has lamented operational constraints as being the reason for not entering Waziristan, Clinton’s visit could signal a persuasion tactic being deployed in getting the Pakistan Military involved in the region.

The US Secretary of State will be meeting President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. Many important American dignitaries will accompany Clinton in her visit.

They will include, Under Secretary of Defence for Policy – Michele Flournoy, Special Representative for Afghanistan-Pakistan – Mark Grossman, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs – General Martin Dempsey and CIA Director – David Petraeus. The team will be flying from Kabul, Afghanistan.

Posted by Zuhaib Gull on Oct 21 2011. Filed under Pakistan, USA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry