Rehman MalikAl Qaida Has Free Movement In Pakistan,
Top Official Concedes -- Yahoo News/McClatchy
Top Official Concedes -- Yahoo News/McClatchy
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan's top security official Monday admitted that al Qaida's leadership moved freely in and out of the country and vowed that "no mercy" would be shown to extremists based in its tribal territory that borders Afghanistan .
In the past, Pakistan has been heavily criticized for rejecting evidence that al Qaida was largely based in the country and for denying that the tribal territory was used as a safe haven for Afghan insurgents.
Rehman Malik , the interior ministry chief, revealed that al Qaida deputy leader Ayman al Zawahiri and his wife had been in Mohmand, part of the tribal area. Most of time, Malik said Zawahiri was mainly in Afghanistan's Kunar and Paktia provinces.
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My Comment: This is a breath of fresh air. It is true that the "truth can set you free". For Pakistan to defeat their insurgency they must be truthful and open to their people on stating what is at stake, who the enemy is, and what must be done to defeat them. Saying the obvious ..... that Al Qaeda's leaders are in Pakistan ..... is a step in the right direction.