US President Barack Obama has stated in his foreign policy agenda that the US "will increase nonmilitary aid to Pakistan and hold them accountable for security in the border region with Afghanistan". Reacting sharply Islamabad says that it may have to rethink options in face of the warning.
In Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday read between the lines and reacted to Obama's warning on conditional aid saying Pakistan will review its options if the US failed to adopt a positive approach in its policy towards the country.
In recent months, Talibani factions, present inside Pakistan’s restive North-West bordering Afghanistan, have repeatedly attacked combat supply convoys that must pass through the region to reach US forces inside Afghan territory.
Pakistan Ambassador in US, Hussain Haqqani said that if Obama administration didn't adopt positive policy towards Pakistan, then Pakistan would also review its options.
However, Haqqani hoped that Obama as compared to Bush will believe in holding talks and hoped the former would give more patient hearing to Pakistan's views.
He further hoped that the new administration in relation to war against terrorism would also take into account political, foreign policy factors and socio-economic matters.
Though the government in Pakistan may not welcome unsolicited intervention from the Obama Administration there is an recognition in Pakistan that Islamabad has to take drastic steps to combat terror and its perpetrators.
Pakistan's military also issued a blunt call for outside powers to stop demanding it do more to prove its sincerity in the campaign against militancy.
Pakistan's Chief of staff General Tariq Majid said that repeated rhetoric by some of the external players asking Pakistan to do more and prove sincerity must stop.
Majid didn't refer to any country but said international players must come out for the coercive mindset and instead start delivering on the promised capacity assistance.
Majid said, Pakistan did not need to prove its sincerity considering the sacrifices it was making which cannot be matched by the players making the demands.
Pakistan has come in for strong opposition from several nations since neighbouring India blamed it for harbourng terror elements responsible for perpetrating the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.
In Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday read between the lines and reacted to Obama's warning on conditional aid saying Pakistan will review its options if the US failed to adopt a positive approach in its policy towards the country.
In recent months, Talibani factions, present inside Pakistan’s restive North-West bordering Afghanistan, have repeatedly attacked combat supply convoys that must pass through the region to reach US forces inside Afghan territory.
Pakistan Ambassador in US, Hussain Haqqani said that if Obama administration didn't adopt positive policy towards Pakistan, then Pakistan would also review its options.
However, Haqqani hoped that Obama as compared to Bush will believe in holding talks and hoped the former would give more patient hearing to Pakistan's views.
He further hoped that the new administration in relation to war against terrorism would also take into account political, foreign policy factors and socio-economic matters.
Though the government in Pakistan may not welcome unsolicited intervention from the Obama Administration there is an recognition in Pakistan that Islamabad has to take drastic steps to combat terror and its perpetrators.
Pakistan's military also issued a blunt call for outside powers to stop demanding it do more to prove its sincerity in the campaign against militancy.
Pakistan's Chief of staff General Tariq Majid said that repeated rhetoric by some of the external players asking Pakistan to do more and prove sincerity must stop.
Majid didn't refer to any country but said international players must come out for the coercive mindset and instead start delivering on the promised capacity assistance.
Majid said, Pakistan did not need to prove its sincerity considering the sacrifices it was making which cannot be matched by the players making the demands.
Pakistan has come in for strong opposition from several nations since neighbouring India blamed it for harbourng terror elements responsible for perpetrating the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.
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