Pakistan is next US president's 'single greatest challenge'

Washington, Oct 4 : Pakistan will be "the single greatest challenge to be faced by the next American President," according to a report.

The report titled "The Next Chapter: The United States and Pakistan" by a group of Pakistan experts contains a number of recommendations for Pakistan as well as the US.

The report emphasises that the US cannot afford to see Pakistan fail, nor can it ignore the extremists operating in Pakistan's Tribal Areas.

Afghanistan cannot succeed either without success in Pakistan, and vice versa, the Daily Times quoted the report, as saying.

However, Washington has to rethink its approach to Pakistan. The US should "exhibit patience with Pakistan's new democratically elected leaders ... but at the same time, emphasise to the Pakistan government that the US patience is not unlimited, and that the US is prepared to be patient only as long as the Pakistan government is achieving visible results in its efforts against extremists in the Tribal Areas."

The report also recommended the appointment of a senior US official to co-ordinate and implement Pakistan-Afghanistan policy to foster closer ties with the two countries.

ANI