The United States has said Pakistan under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s leadership is moving away from terrorism owing to effective operations against terror outfits in the country
Acknowledging the efforts of the incumbent government, US Senator Tim Kaine said the directional change came after a new democratic set up came into being following the 2013 general elections.
Kaine, a member of two powerful Senate committees on foreign relations and armed services, told media in Washington that Pakistan is sincerely taking action against terror outfits in North Waziristan and other parts of the country, adding that extremist organisations are now facing tough pressure from the government.
During the premier’s recent visit to US, President Barack Obama appreciated Pakistan’s on-going efforts to degrade and ultimately defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates, noting that it had disrupted terror plots against the US homeland. According to a joint statement of the meeting, Obama, while acknowledging the sacrifices rendered by Pakistani security forces in the region, noted how it had degraded the ability of militants to plan and execute terror attacks – especially against Americans.
Earlier on October 22, US Vice President Joe Biden also appreciated the government’s role in war against terrorism, vowing US cooperation until objectives were achieved.
Pakistan has been battling a homegrown Islamist insurgency for over a decade following the late 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan.
Militants used to control all of North Waziristan, a mountainous region that includes the Shawal Valley and runs along the Afghan border but Pakistan Army has recaptured most of it in the operation launched last June.
Pakistan had launched a military operation in its militants infested tribal areas along the borders with Afghanistan in June last year, code-named Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
