US would wipe Pak of world map if 9/11 or Mumbai attack is repeated: UK scholar

Islamabad, Jan.18 (ANI): If an attack similar to Mumbai or 9/11 is repeated in India or the US in the future, then Pakistan would be wiped-off from the world map, war experts believe.

Noted British scholar and professor at the Department of War Studies, Kings College London, Dr Anatol Lieven, has said that Pakistan could face dire consequences if terrorist attacks like the 9/11, or the ones in Mumbai, occur in the United States or India again.

"The consequences will be dire. Believe me," The Daily Times quoted Lieven, as saying.

Speaking at an event organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies here, Lieven said the US would be encouraged to attack Pakistan if India witnesses strikes similar to what happened in Mumbai

He maintained that there is a presence of Al Qaeda in the tribal region of Pakistan, and if it strikes any major location in the world, then 'the US would hit Pakistan hard.'

Lieven said that in addition to a military offensive, Pakistan could also face economic sanctions in case of any terrorist activity carried out by the groups having their base in the country.

"US could impose economic sanctions that would be equally disastrous in the country's current financial crisis," he said.

Commenting on the change of regime in the US and its policies towards Pakistan, and on the 'war on terror', the British scholar said: "There was no possibility of a radical change in the foreign policy of the incoming Obama administration and it would continue pressurising Pakistan even harder to clamp down on terrorists."(ANI)