US justified in striking on Pak soil due to its dual policy towards Taliban: Pak editorial

ISLAMABAD - An editorial in a leading Pakistani newspaper has backed the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)’s decision to carry out cross-border helicopter attacks from Afghanistan to target militants in Pakistan.

“If Pakistan’s insists on its dual policy towards the Taliban, it cannot expect the US not to violate its territory to take out hostile elements on Pakistan’s soil,” the editorial said.

“The Afghan Taliban are freely using Pakistan’s soil to launch attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan even as the Pakistan army is engaged in operations against the Pakistani Taliban,” it added.

It further admitted that despite the ‘deep fissures’ caused by the attacks, Pakistan and the US would push it over soon, as both the countries need each other’s help.

“Although Holbrooke has said NATO would not be affected by the break in supplies from Pakistan, it would be very difficult for the US to find alternative routes, which are expensive and non-viable,” the editorial said.

“On the other hand, Pakistan is so dependent on US goodwill and aid to its military and government that it cannot afford to alienate it,” it added.

The editorial also claims that the Obama administration is engaged in damage control, and suggests that it would be good for Pakistan “to reassess its policy in view of the changing US attitude”. (ANI)