Terror safe havens in Pak undermine Afghan security: US

WASHINGTON: Slamming Pakistan's dubious role in Afghanistan, the US has said that Islamabad continues to tolerate and abet insurgency in the war-torn country, particularly the Haqqani terror network, with an aim to see a friendly government in Kabul with limited Indian influence.

"Pakistan's selective counter-insurgency operations, passive acceptance -- and in some cases provision -- of insurgent safe havens, and unwillingness to interdict material such as IED components, continue to undermine security in Afghanistan and threaten ISAF's (International Security Assistance Force's) campaign," the Pentagon said.

In a 138-page six-monthly report to the US Congress on the progress being made in Afghanistan in the war against terror, it acknowledged that there is strain in the relationship with Islamabad.

Overall, Pakistan continues to seek a government in Afghanistan friendly to it with limited Indian influence, and a political settlement that enables pro-Pakistani Pashtun power brokers to participate in provincial and national government, it said.

In its first report on Afghanistan sent to the Congress after Leon Panetta took over as Defence Secretary, the Pentagon said Pakistan continues to tolerate and abet the insurgency in Afghanistan, particularly the Haqqani network.

"Enabled by safe havens inside Pakistan, the insurgency remains resilient with a notable operational capacity, as reflected in isolated high-profile attacks in Kabul and sustained violence levels in eastern Afghanistan," the report said.