Gen Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. Commander US Central Command (Centcom) has warned that regrouping of terrorists like militant Islamic State group and Al Qaeda would be a biggest concern for Pakistan, as the Pentagon started pulling out its troops from Afghanistan.
According to a transcript the Pentagon released this weekend, Gen McKenzie also said that his command and American diplomats were working with nations surrounding Afghanistan on agreements to base troops and aircraft for countering terrorists after the US pullout.
There is, indeed, possibility of regrouping of terrorist outfits but not in Pakistan as has been predicted by the US General as the country has demonstrated capability of effectively tackling the challenge.
The United States must bear in mind that Pakistan succeeded in its mission of combating the menace of terrorism while Washington is leaving Afghanistan not in a better condition.
Despite presence of the US and NATO troops as well as ‘trained and equipped Afghan army, some terrorist groups are freely operating from safe havens in Afghanistan and launching attacks on this side of the Durand Line.
The Pakistan Army must be appreciated for its visionary project of border management that will enable it to keep an eye on illegal cross-border movements or regrouping of militants in border areas.
The US is exaggerating the threat of regrouping to squeeze concessions for establishment of its military bases in regional countries and the leadership of these countries must not fall into this kind of trap as besides an affront to nationalistic sentiments of the people, presence of such bases also has foreign policy implications.
