Pakistan’s security gains contrast Afghan turmoil

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Recent victories against Swat Taliban, TTP have fuelled optimism in masses, West

ISLAMABAD: A successful army offensive against the Taliban, the killing of some of their top leaders and a shift in public opinion against them have fuelled optimism in Pakistan, while progress against terrorists in neighbouring Afghanistan appears stalled amid post-election turmoil.

The Obama administration has made it clear that it sees victory in the fight against extremism as dependent on successes in both South Asian nations. Forging a common strategy for “Af-Pak”, as the region is now dubbed in Washington, is a key priority.

Five months ago, nuclear-armed Pakistan was seen by some as on the verge of collapse, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton saying the country was “abdicating” to the Taliban as the movement spread from its stronghold close to the Afghan border to Swat and beyond.

To the relief of the West, the army moved forcefully against the Swat Taliban in April in a campaign that thrived with public support. Last month, the head of the Pakistani Taliban was killed in a US missile strike.

While the Pakistani military has at least temporarily gained the upper hand, the security situation in neighbouring Afghanistan has deteriorated with increased roadside bombings, suicide attacks and ambushes. Heightened counterinsurgency efforts by the US, NATO and the Afghan government have so far failed to make much headway there, analysts said. ap

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg7_8