Islamabad, Sept. 17 (ANI): Pakistan has asked the United States not to make any public statement on its planned operation against militants in the restive North Waziristan Agency bordering Afghanistan.
The advice stems from the fact that any remarks by American officials may complicate the Pakistani authorities' plan to create the 'necessary environment' for the Waziristan offensive, The Express Tribune quoted a senior government official, as saying.
The official said the military does not want to be seen as aligned with the U.S. on the issue of launching a fresh operation in the rugged tribal belt because of growing anti-American sentiments in the country.
The U.S. has long been calling on Pakistan to go after the deadliest Afghan insurgents, the Haqqani network, based in North Waziristan.
Pakistan voiced concerns when U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta disclosed last month that the Pakistani military was planning to start an operation against militants in North Waziristan.
He said Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani had confirmed to ISAF Commander in Afghanistan General John Allen during a meeting that the military would soon launch an operation.
Reports of the planned offensive immediately invited strong criticism not only from rightwing groups but also the country's main opposition party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, who accused the government of launching the new offensive at the behest of the US.
In response to the backlash, Kayani informed top U.S. military commander General James Mattis in August that Pakistan would not conduct the operation because of outside pressure.
Following Pakistan's request, the U.S. now appears careful in making any public comment on the Waziristan offensive. It was also evident from the statement issued by the US embassy following a recently concluded visit by President Obama's point man for the region Marc Grossman, who did not make any public remarks on the issue, the paper said. (ANI)
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