Former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf is playing the role of a mediator to defuse the tensions between Pakistan and the US that have erupted owing to serious allegations levelled by senior US officials that the ISI was involved in a ‘proxy war’ in Afghanistan and exporting terrorism to the war-torn country through the powerful militant organization, the Haqqani network.
Owing to the former president’s years long experience of dealing with the US authorities and that too as a leader of frontline state in the ongoing war on terrorism, the country’s top security brass has asked Musharraf to use his “good offices” for lowering the tensions in Washington and Islamabad. “President Musharraf, who is now in London has started contacting important people in Washington including those in the US administration and Congress and he is also in close contact with the authorities in Islamabad for de-escalation of tensions,” a diplomatic source said. In a recent interview, Musharraf said escalation of tensions between Pakistan and the US was not in the interest of both countries.
He, however added that Pakistan had to give a straightforward reply to the US regarding the Haqqani group. “Pakistan may face a loss in confronting the US but on the other hand Washington should also realise the fact that forgetting Pakistan will benefit terrorists. Reduction of stress would be in the best interest of both sides.” The source said the former president strongly felt that it was in the interest of both Islamabad and Washington not to confront each other.
Musharraf playing mediator between Islamabad, Washington
