Presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan are in Washington to hold bilateralk and trillateral talks to discuss the insurgency in Northern in Pakistan.  Special envoy to Af-Pak Holbroke spoke in detail about the US policy for these two countries in his congressional hearing infront of the Foreign Relations Committee. But he did not gave clear answers to some key questions like who are providing financial and material support to Taliban and also the role of Russia and China.

Pakistan lies at very strategic location among four aspiring powers India, China, Iran and Russia. The presence of US forces in Afghanistan that are provisioned through logistics from Pakistan creates anxieties among three of these powers. It will be naive to think these powers are not active in the region.

The issue of extremisim and insurgency can only be addressed if other powers in the region are engaged and invited to participate in finding a long term solution. China and Russia are two important powers and their inclusion in any talks are important.

The issue of Taliban is a regional tribal issue and it should not be projected as a global problem. Pakistan should be given complete support and confidence in dealing with its internal problems.

There has been rumors in some media that US is looking for alternatives as the current PPP government of President Zardari is not capable to handle the multifaceted crisis faced by them. It will be a mistake. I personally agree with the statement of Ambassador Haqqani that democracy should be given a chance to previal and Pakistan’s friends should not be impatient with the democratic government.

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