A Difficult Proposition What is the Myth and What is the Reality of the Much Talked About North Waziristan Operations? - is Pakistan Being Coerced Into Taking Action Against the Taliban in This Region‪?‬

Byline: S. M. Hali - Email: sultan.hali@gmail.com Pakistan Army is being cajoled, arm twisted and even blackmailed by the U.S. to commence operations against the Taliban/Al-Qaeda reportedly holed up in North Waziristan. A number of recent developments merit visiting the question of whether an operation is being planned by Pakistan Army. The unprecedented protocol accorded to Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and U.S.A. at Washington, D.C. indicated the importance being attached to the Army Chief. At the January 28, 2010 London Conference on Afghanistan, Afghanistan was cleared to negotiate with the Taliban through a Jirga. Since then, Mr. Karzai did convene a Jirga in June but it was boycotted by the Taliban and an attempt was made to disrupt the proceedings through a bomb and rockets attack. Aspersions were cast on Pakistan for having sponsored the attack.