Threat of al Qaeda, global terrorism now emanating from Pak: Brit MPs

Lahore, Aug 3 (ANI): British Members of Parliament in a report have claimed that the threat of al Qaeda and international terrorism can be more properly said to be emanating from Pakistan.

Professor Shaun Gregory, an expert on Pakistan at Bradford University, also told the committee that a direct attack on Pakistan's nuclear weapons infrastructure by the Taliban could not be ruled out.

British soldiers were sent into Afghanistan's Helmand province on a mission undermined by "unrealistic" planning and lack of manpower, according to a House of Commons report, which concludes the strategic threat has shifted to Pakistan.

Raising the alarming spectre of al Qaeda gaining access to Islamabad's nuclear arsenal, the report concludes that while the military campaign in Helmand may be gaining traction, Afghan support for the troops has been severely damaged by civilian casualties and "cultural insensitivity".

The weak, corrupt police force is driving Afghans back to the Taliban to seek justice, it argues, while noting that cultural assumptions about women have barely changed, the Daily Times quoted the report, as saying.

The UK Government is braced for the publication this month of a review of the Afghanistan campaign by General Stanley McChrystal, commander of US forces there, which is expected to trigger a fresh debate over troop numbers.

Some British MPs believe parliament may even be recalled from recess to debate Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office admitted on Saturday night that the insurgent threat in Helmand was "greater than anticipated", but said the aim of denying Al Qaeda a safe haven remained unchanged. (ANI)