US National Intelligence says all is right in Pakistan

Washington, June 10 (ANI): There are signs that the situation with the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Pakistan is moving in a positive direction, US National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair has said.

Just back from Pakistan and Afghanistan, Blair told intelligence professionals that support for the military operation solidified after a recent wave of retaliatory bombings by the Taliban.

"I think these are having the effect of driving home to the public the seriousness of the threat that's coming from that part of the country," Blair said.

Another difference, he said, is that Pakistani leaders he spoke to last week were realising the key to stability was security and development after the fighting ends.

"We can see the plans they're making for bringing displaced persons back home and providing basic security and governance when they're there," Blair said.

The Pakistani army is gaining in its offensive against the Taliban in Swat, because public support for the operation is solidifying, the Daily Times quoted Blair, as saying.

"For the first time, the Pakistan Army operations in that part of the world have support of the government and the public. This is really different from the past, when the army went up and there was little backing," he added. (ANI)