Time to take on Haqqani network : NWFP minister

New York, Jan.2 (ANI): The Pakistan Army has rejected several appeals by the US to take on the North Waziristan based Taliban network run by Sirajuddin Haqqani, who uses the area to stage his insurgency against the American and NATO forces in Afghanistan, but now North West Frontier Province (NWFP) Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain has also called for action against the extremist network.

Denouncing Friday's suicide attack in Shah Hassan Khel area, in which 90 persons were killed and over 125 were injured, Hussain said time has come that Pakistan must target the Haqqani network.

"The military has done well in South Waziristan, but it's time to go after the militants who have taken shelter in other places," The New York Times quoted Hussain, as saying.

The United States has been pressing Islamabad to step up action against extremists based in North Waziristan, including the Haqqani network.

The Obama administration considers eliminating sanctuaries in North Waziristan critical to the success of President Obama's plan of troop surge in Afghanistan.

However, the White House's requests has been rebuffed by the Pakistan Army, which along with the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) considers the Haqqani network as their asset to use their influence in Afghanistan.

The Pakistani armed forces maintain that it has got its hands full with operations in South Waziristan and other parts of the country. (ANI)