New US strategy would focus on reconciliation with militants in Pak, Afghanistan

Washington, Mar. 14 (ANI): The new United States strategy for Pakistan and Afghanistan would revolve around reconciliation with militants operating in tribal areas, because the US regards that at least seventy per cent insurgents in the region are reconcilable.

Dawn sources claimed that the Commander of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, General David Petraeus and special envoy Richard Holbrooke, met on Friday at Capitol Hill, and spent two hours explaining salient features of the new strategy to lawmakers.

The duo is also believed to have informed them about the efforts made by the US to disengage collision between the Pakistan Government and the opposition.

The new strategy, expected to be make public next week, reflects a conclusion by the review team, that a vast majority of insurgents can be persuaded to quit insurgency if provided with proper incentives.

Pakistan, which is already negotiating deals with militants in Swat, would be encouraged further to expand its peace efforts.

However, the drone attacks inside Pakistan territory will continue to play a key role in the new strategy as well.

The members of the review team, including senior policy makers, think-tank experts and intelligence officials, concluded that the US military has successfully driven out hardcore Taliban and al-Qaeda activists from Afghanistan to FATA. Now they can be flushed out using drones.

The sources said that the Zardari Government also supports this strategy.The new plan is expected to offer more economic and military aid to Pakistan. (ANI)