Senator John McCain raises finger at ISI

Senator John McCain, the prominent US Republican expressed disappointment at Pakistan’s spy agency’s continued cooperation with Haqqani network, saying it is reprehensible that Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) maintains a close relationship with the militant outfits.

Addressing at an American think-tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, Senator McCain said he had sympathy for Pakistan’s military since the Pakistani government is dysfunctional.

He claimed that Haqqani network was responsible for American deaths in Afghanistan. However, it war remained sources of never-ending frustration that the ISI had consistent ties with the militant outfit.

While replying to a query, General Kayani’s recent statement on India, John McCain appreciated it, saying that the fact remains that the Pakistan Army’s best troops and equipment were on the border with India, and not Afghanistan.

Criticizing the Obama administration’s policy on reconciliation with the Taliban, the Senator said the United States should have a strategic partnership with Afghanistan.  He observed, “It will demonstrate to Pakistan that continued support for the Taliban will leave them more isolated and less secure”.

While replying to a query on Kashmir dispute, the Republican said that it was not an excuse for Pakistan to not break relationships with the Haqqanis. He, however, confessed that Kashmir remains a longstanding problem, which is a most beautiful place on earth.

Calling the incident of US soldiers photographed with body parts of Afghans published in the Los Angeles Times as deplorable and despicable, he observed it tarnished the work that US soldiers are doing out here, and said that 99.9% of young Americans serving in Afghanistan have the highest standards.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman while speaking to the ceremony said that Pakistan has no connection with terrorist organisations that are creating unrest in the region.

The ambassador said the US has expressed concerns about its defence, but Pakistan, too, has ‘red lines’ that should not be crossed. She said Pakistan does not consider Afghanistan a ‘strategic backyard’.

She commented, “Negotiations with the US will be held in light of the parliament’s recommendations. Pakistan will in no way compromise on its sovereignty”.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=19495

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Apr 19 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.