Pakistan faces economic, political isolation: Nawaz Sharif

Islamabad, Oct 4: Amid mounting American pressure on Pakistan to do more to combat the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network, the chief of the main Opposition party PML-N said on Oct 3 the country was facing economic and political isolation despite the enormous sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

"We are receiving threats and pressure to do more while our sacrifices for the war against terrorism are being ignored," Nawaz Sharif said in his opening remarks while addressing the Central Working Committee (CWC) Meeting of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) in the capital.

The former prime minister lamented that Pakistan was facing economic and political alienation despite of the country having made enormous sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

The President of PML-N regretted that pressure to do more is increasing while nobody is thinking about the price being paid by the country.

The US has stepped up pressure on the Pakistani spy agency ISI and the military to sever it "direct and indirect" strategic ties with the dreaded Haqqani network in a bid to destablise Afghanistan.

America''s top most commander Admiral Mike Mullen last month told the US Senate that ISI used the Haqqani network as a "veritable arm" as he demanded that a "concerted effort" be made to finishing off these links.

Addressing party leaders here today, Sharif underlined the adverse impact of terrorism on the economy, saying it has shattered the confidence of investors and they preferred to look for opportunities outside the country.

"Terrorist activities have not only badly affected the economy but also plunged our country into an energy crisis including large-scale loadshedding," he added.

PTI