Azerbaijan, Baku, May 7 / Trend , D.Ibrahimova/
The United States can exert different pressures on Pakistan for its more active struggle against Talibs, but Washington's key pressure leverage on Islamabad will be financial.
"US pressure can take several forms, political as well as economic," American Expert on Pakistan Ayesha Jalal told Trend .
On May 6, US Special Envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said that the United States must exert more pressure on Pakistan to struggle against Talibs.
"We must put much stronger pressure on our Pakistani friends in order they will join us in struggle against Talibs," Holbrooke said during hearings at the congress on May 6. The presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan and United States met on the same day.
The Taliban movement is struggling to form the Islamic state in Pakistan and withdraw foreign troops from Afghanistan which are in this country since 2001. The Talibs' aggressive activities kill not only militaries, but also civilians. The movement organized murderous assault on Afghan President Hamid Karzai in April 2008.
According to the intelligence center - Senlis Council (London), the Taliban military presence was noted in 54 percent territory of Afghanistan in 2007. The bulk of the Taliban based in Pakistan, in a zone of "independent tribal" (FATA) in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Afghanistan.
The US officials repeatedly stated that the Pakistani government insufficiently struggles against Talibs.
Experts believe a financial issue is Washington's key pressure leverage on Islamabad.
The United States can render financial influence on Pakistan, Pakistani Political Scientist Abdul Hay Anis told Trend in a telephone conversation. At present the United States allots minimum $500 million to Pakistan per year. The U.S. can cut this aid or cancel it at all to influence on Pakistan, Anis believes.
Washington has issued financial aid worth $12 billion to Islamabad within last 5 years.
British Expert on Pakistan Shaun Gregory also believes that the U.S. can render financial influence on Pakistan. "The United States is keeping Pakistan by providing the civilian help and military aid," Professor of International Security and Director of the Pakistan Security Research Unit at the British Bradford University Gregory told Trend in a telephone conversation.
Americans have made clear is that they are planning to continue the financial support of Pakistan including the army and the intelligence agency ISI. But the U.S. wants to see result, Gregory said. He said the U.S. wants to see Pakistan not like in peace deals with Talibs but actively pushing them out of the region.
American expert on South Asia Philip Oldenburg said the U.S. can put limited pressure on Pakistan.
"The U.S. can try to put conditions on its military and economic aid, but ultimately the U.S. will have to continue to supply aid, because Pakistan cooperation still is crucial for the supply of material to the Afghanistan war," researcher at Southern Asian Institute Columbia University Oldenburg wrote Trend in an email.
Greater part of supplies for the NATO military contingent and U.S. troops in Afghanistan is transported via Pakistan. Following the closure of the Manas airbase in Kyrgyzstan air supplies became complicated and the only delivery route of military cargo to southern Afghanistan lies through Pakistan.
Jalal, American expert on Pakistan, said country's key task is to establish influence in Swat region and to maintain it. "While Washington acknowledges that of late Pakistan has shown a greater resolve to take on the Taliban in Swat and the Malakand Division, they are concerned that the end of the military operations in the area could see a return of the militants," Tufts University professor and program on South Asia Jalal told Trend over telephone.
Pakistani President Asif Zardari signed the bill according to which the Sharia law is imposed in Malakand, which is composed of six north-western districts, including Swat valley.
Talibs were promised application of Sharia law in Feb. 2009 in exchange for halt of military operations in this province. However, the bill was signed in April as western countries that supported Zardari were against the deal.
A week after the signing of the bill, the Taliban captured the district Bunir, 100 kilometers from Islamabad. Pakistan troops pushed the Taliban from the region and attacked their camp.
It s imperative that the Pakistani state undertake to govern the area, Jalal said. Governance means assuming the task of not simply restoring peace in the war torn areas, but ensuring the provision of an array of social services to the civil population, especially those that have been displaced due to the fighting," the expert said.
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