US fears Taliban moving to Balochistan amid Pak military action

Washington, May 6 (ANI): The US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke has said that the Pakistan Army's offensive could force the Taliban to flee to Balochistan.

Addressing a congressional committee here, Holbrooke asserted that Pakistan's survival was critical for the United States.

"We have the highest strategic interests in supporting this government of Pakistan. Pakistan's survival as a moderate, democratic state is critical to US national security," The Nation quoted Holbrooke, as saying.

Holbrooke said Pakistan's assistance was necessary for the United States to achieve success in Afghanistan.

"We cannot succeed in Afghanistan without Pakistan's support and involvement.

We should not confuse the support with prediction of collapse of the Pakistan," he told lawmakers.

Holbrooke, while referring to the media reports that termed Pakistan as a 'failed state' said : " Pakistan is facing challenges but is not in a situation where it could collapse. Pakistan is not a failed state."

Holbrooke said America is totally against Pakistan Army toppling the government and establish military rule once again in the country.

"The US Administration has absolutely no interest in seeing the Pakistani military return to power in place of Zardari's shaky government.

We are strongly opposed to any such event. We think this would be a terrible event," he added. (ANI)