KABUL, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has urged the United States that the new policy of Obama administration on Afghanistan must not disturb balance (of power) in South Asia. The strongest ever signal from Pakistan was made by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in his talks with the CIA Director General, Leon Panetta, who paid a three-day visit to Islamabad on the week-end.
Gilani said increase in number of ISAF (International Security Assistance Forces) forces in Afghanistan can leave negative impact on Pakistan's Baluchistan province.
In past, Islamabad has though expressed its reservations about infiltration of insurgents and shipments of arms from Afghanistan for insurgents operating in its tribal areas and Baluchistan. However, it is for the first time that it has criticized possible "disturbance of regional power" due to military build-up in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has always complained against India's military build-up alleging that it disturbed balance of power in the region.
However, it has never made such complaint about its western neighbor, which has remained shattered by the Soviet invasion and incessant civil wars.
The United States has already deployed 68,000 troops in Afghanistan, besides the 40,000 NATO-led ISAF forces there. U.S. NATO commander in the country, General Stanley McChrystal has called for deployment of up to 40,000 more international forces.
U.S. President Barrack Obama is in the final phase of deciding his future strategy in Afghanistan, which will most probably include sending of additional U.S. troops to the country.
Britain, Germany, and Slovakia have already announced sending of more troops to Afghanistan while NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has indicated surge in alliance troops in the country.
Pakistan shares 2,430-kilometer long rugged border with Afghanistan mostly covered with high-raised mountains, gorges, and valleys, and inhabited on both sides by semi-independent Pashtoon tribes, not bound by Pakistani laws.
In the past, Pakistan and Afghanistan have accused each other of border violations and seepage of militants and arms into either side.
Amir Haider Khan Hoti, the Chief Minister of Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), bordering Afghanistan, alleged on Friday that the militants operating in north-western Pakistan received "planning and funds" from abroad.
He was answering journalists' queries in Peshawar about presence of Pakistani Taliban leader, Maulana Fazlullah in Afghanistan.
In an interaction with BBC, Fazlullah had claimed earlier this week that he had crossed over to Afghanistan.
Hoti said if it was true "then it is the biggest proof of what we have been speaking of external hand in (terrorist activities) in Pakistan."
He called for effectively raising voice at diplomatic level against any country involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan.
Pakistani military officials recently alleged that the insurgents in the Pakistani tribal areas were being armed and financed from across the Afghan border.
Islamabad also alleges that the insurgents in its south-western Baluchistan province are also receiving arms and training in Afghanistan, a claim rejected by Kabul as baseless.
Gilani had, during visit of U.S. National Security Advisor, James Jones to Islamabad earlier this month, also conveyed Pakistan's concern over increase in number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, "particularly in Helmand province."
Helmand is adjoining Pakistan's Baluchistan province, where Pakistani officials have in the past alleged presence of training camps for Baloch separatist and from where Baloch insurgents have allegedly been receiving arms supplies and financial support.
In his talks with Panetta, the Pakistani Prime Minister emphatically said that the new U.S. policy on Afghanistan should incorporate Pakistan's viewpoint.
He said the United States must fully share and inform Pakistan on its roadmap about Afghanistan so to remove mistrust and build mutual confidence.
U.S. officials, including James Jones and Leon Panetta, have promised to take Pakistan on board while devising new strategy for Afghanistan.
As to how much Washington takes care of Pakistan's concerns in this regard will be seen once President Obama unfolds his new strategy.
Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/22/content_12519657.htm
