Pak political fraternity tenders mixed response to new US policy

Islamabad, Mar.28 (ANI): Pakistan's political fraternity has tendered a mixed response to the new US policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leaders differed over the issue, with some terming the revamped strategy as a positive step, while others dubbing the Obama Administration's decision as a 'veiled threat.'

"The language and tone of Obama's speech was positive and different from the policy of his predecessor, George W Bush," The Daily Times quoted PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed, as saying.

Syed said the US has admitted that the problem in the region was associated with its own engagement in Iraq, rather than Pakistan's lack of commitment in dealing with the terrorist outfits on its soil.

He said that Islamabad should ask Washington to explain its stance on the continuous drone attacks in the tribal region along the Pak-Afghan border, the role of India in the proposed contact group, and US intelligence sharing with Pakistan.

PML-Q Senator and Information Secretary, Tariq Azeem, however, said that there was nothing new in Obama's speech The new US policy was a mixed bag, as aid was linked to a 'do more' strategy," Azeem said.

PML-Nawaz Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq said there would not be any major shift in the US policy, and that the United States must consult the political leadership of Pakistan before executing any new policy.

The Awami National Party (ANP) Information Secretary Zahid Khan,while welcoming the new strategy, said that Pakistan must analyze why the international community has been blaming it for breeding terrorists on its soil and funding terror infrastructure.

"US' promise of establishing reconstruction opportunity zones (RoZs) in Pakistan and Afghanistan would provide more employment opportunities in poverty-hit areas," Khan added.

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) expressed its discontent over the US' Af-Pak strategy, saying it is a continuation of Washington's wrong policies.

"The United States would continue its policy of 'do more and kill more' for Pakistan, which would just cause more chaos in the region," JI's , deputy secretary, General Liaqat Baloch said . (ANI)