Rising opposition and U.S. demand for North Waziristan military intervention

A visiting American envoy - Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman - held a crucial meeting with Pakistan’s military chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in a low-key meeting which largely focused around the matter of full-scale military action in North Waziristan Agency (NWA.) this Saturday evening.

Interestingly, Gross man denied his visit to Pakistan had anything to do with Waziristan. He told state-run PTV “I am here to continue the conversation we have been having with Pakistani leaders over the past several months.”
As it happens we now know he indeed talked about Waziristan.

Hesitant to reveal the details of the meeting security officials eluded any questions related to Waziristan and a potential military operation, only saying that the matter was high on the agenda of the two officials.

 “Matters of mutual interest and peace and stability in Afghanistan were discussed during the meeting,” officials explained Saturday, not wanting to say any more.

After many pressing questions from the press, a Brigadier reluctantly said “an NWA operation may have been discussed in the meeting but only as a routine matter.

However, a former U.S diplomat now serving in an international organization in Pakistan told Islam Times that the American envoy had indeed communicated to the Pakistan’s military chief its desire to see an immediate armed intervention in Waziristan.

 “I guess there’s a growing feeling in Washington that Islamabad is delaying an NWA military action awaiting the results of the coming American presidential election – November 6 - and a possible change of guards and hence policy.”
 
“After the presidential poll a new administrative arrangement could come into effect which would not necessarily require a move against Waziristan,” added the former diplomat.
He further explained that there was this need in Washington right now to bank on anti-Taliban sentiment in the region by launching an open war on the group.

Pakistan had to delay a resolution in the National Assemble last Tuesday over this very matter as popular anger is growing against a military intervention. Pakistan Muslim league-Nawaz (PML-N), a major opposition force to the current ruling party is fiercely opposed to the move, arguing it would only serve America.

Credible reports suggested the government might try to introduce the resolution again after Eid al Fadha - October 27 -

The arrival of Grossman to Pakistan added to rumors warning of an imminent military intervention in Waziristan, which in turn is creating much popular resentment throughout the nation.

Grossman’s claims that America would not meddle in the decision did not help lift the deepening shroud of skepticism surrounding the matter.  “The decision is for the Government of Pakistan and solely for the Government of Pakistan,” said Grossman.

The presence of al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network in North Waziristan has for a long time been a thorn in America and Pakistan diplomatic ties as Washington would like to see put in place a systematic military crackdown against the militants.

Haqqani was blamed for the attack on the U.S embassy in Kabul in 2011. Washington claimed Pakistan intelligence services were using Haqqani to their own benefits.

When asked, Grossman declined to comment on the issue of US drone strikes, saying “it is not a topic of conversation for me. What I would like to say is that Pakistanis and Americans can stand up together and declare the end of al-Qaeda in this region. That would be a great joint strategic effort which I hope will happen soon.”

Despite widespread popular resentment the U.S continues to defend its drone strategy in Pakistan, dismissing claims drones are against international laws.

Grossman also held talks on Saturday with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues. Both officials stressed they were committed to work together on all issues, without exception.

In an official statement to the press the Foreign Minister underlined the importance of a broad-based relationship between Pakistan and the U.S marked by deeper and wider cooperation in diverse fields.

For its part the U.S. envoy highlighted his country’s commitment to a long-term relationship with Pakistan based on mutual interest and mutual respect.

Islamabad and Washington have been seeking to patch up their fractious relationship in recent months, with Pakistan allowing the reopening of the NATO supply route to Afghanistan, after a series of crises in 2011.