Taliban safe havens in Pak hindering Afghanistan's stability : Mullen

Lahore, Apr.16 (ANI): The US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen has said that stability in Afghanistan is directly related to Pakistan's action against the Taliban safe havens inside its territory.

Mullen said that the US led 'war on terror' in Afghanistan cannot be won until these safe havens continue to operate in the region.

"That's why the relationship with Pakistan is so important because I think that in the end Pakistan has to address this issue," The Daily Times quoted Mullen, as saying in an interview to CNN.

When enquired about Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's decision to sign the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation, which allowed implementation of Islamic laws in the Swat Valley, Mullen said the decision came as a surprise to him, and that he was not made aware about it even during his recent visit to the country.

He said the deal in Swat was explained to him, few weeks ago, as the "best deal that was executable at the time."

Commenting on the collapse of Pakistan due to Taliban safe havens in Swat and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Mullen said : "I don't see an indication that that's the case right now". (ANI)