US think tank urges halt to air strikes

New York, Nov 17 : A leading American thinktank has reportedly urged the Bush administration to stop unilateral air strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas, and advised it to instead focus on supporting its economy reeling under recession and budgetary deficit.

In its report which is yet to be released, the thinktank "Centre for American Progress" headed by John Podesta, the in-charge of President-elect Obama's transition team, called upon the American government to change its policy towards Islamabad by acknowledging its importance in the region and supporting the cause of an independent judiciary, which is free of influence from the presidency and parliament.

The report would be released a day after deposed Pakistani Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry arrives in the US to receive the highest award "Medal of Freedom".

The report states that the US must focus on long-term gains instead of short-term arrangements while dealing with Pakistan, where, it said, the political government was fragile, legal system weak, therefore accountability of the previous military or political leaders had not been done.

It said that the US should support the reforms in judicial system to make it "free of political influence".

The report also said that situation in tribal areas could not be improved by military actions, but through negotiations with certain groups in the Fata to achieve a durable peace.

The report also urges the US government to use its influence for getting the Pakistan presidential powers curtailed by repealing 58-2(b).

ANI