John Kerry Can Play a Role in the Complete Eradication of Terrorism in Pakistan

In a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the recent terrorist events in Pakistan and offered condolences on the death of provincial home minister, Shuja Khanzada, in a suicide attack in Attock. John Kerry said that the U.S. stands by Pakistan in its efforts to eradicate terrorism.

The Pakistan army is achieving success in its operation, Zarb-e- Azb, aimed at eradicating terrorism. A policy of zero tolerance has been adopted at the government level, and now anti-terrorism and anti-extremism efforts in Punjab also are being enhanced, as decided by the military and political leadership.

Along with internal elements, external elements are also involved in the terrorism taking place in Pakistan. India is openly fanning terrorism and extremism in Pakistan. From Afghanistan, too, there is interference in Pakistan. Several Indian consulates located in Afghanistan are engaged in activities against Pakistan.

After the disintegration of Russia, the U.S. became the center of focus for India. The U.S, too, went overboard in welcoming India and showering benefits on it. Besides engaging in trade and defense pacts with India, it began lobbying for India’s permanent membership in the U.N. Security Council. Where Afghanistan is concerned, the influence of the U.S. is such that the Ashraf Ghani administration cannot formulate any policy on its own initiative.

If John Kerry really wants to eradicate terrorism from Pakistan, then he has to play a role in keeping India and Afghanistan from conducting terrorist activities in Pakistan. Pakistan needs to eradicate terrorism soon from the country. Its efforts for early eradication of terrorism can succeed if the U.S. provides us information about the terrorism network under an intelligence-sharing agreement.