Pak needs to come clean on ISI-Taliban link: Editorial

ISLAMABAD - After the leak of classified US military documents proved links between Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Taliban, an editorial in a leading Pakistan daily has said that the important question that needs to be asked is whether the link is still there or not.

The editorial in the Daily Times said that it is crucial to clear the situation, as Pakistan cannot overlook the billions of dollars in aid that it has received from the US since 2001.

“This suspicion cannot be easily dispelled unless and until our security establishment wakes up to the threat to Pakistan’s credibility and the financial trouble that we may end up in if the west decides that we are guilty of playing a double game,” the editorial said.

“The US-led NATO forces and the Afghans may have their vulnerabilities, but our misadventures may cost us more than we bargained for. It is time to come clean and understand the importance of being on the same page as the anti-terrorist forces, in the region and the world at large,” it added.

It also admitted that British Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks have created more ripples and waves in the country than what was necessary.

“The inexperience of Cameron is visible as far as international diplomacy is concerned and he seems to be on a learning curve. David Miliband, former British foreign secretary, has criticized Cameron and remarked that there is a “big difference between straight talking and being a loudmouth”, the editorial said.

“Miliband, having been the foreign secretary under (former British Prime Minister Gordon) Brown, recognizes the sensitivity of these comments and knows how delicately poised the effort to persuade Pakistan and its security establishment, particularly the ISI, to come on board and change tack in this anti-terrorism struggle has been,” it added. (ANI)