The bleak assessment

The New York Times quoted an intelligence officials familiar with the document, which is still classified and scheduled to be finalized after November 4, as saying that US intelligence agencies were also developing an assessment on Pakistan that would also be available after next month's presidential elections. This is certainly aimed at increasing pressure on Pakistan to launch fresh offensives against militants operating in the tribal region. The Bush Administration is not only sceptical about Islamabad's ability to fight terrorism but also blames it for dragging its feet on tackling the growing menace. This was indicated by a report in The Washington Post which referred to intelligence officials who believed that cooperation among the militant groups was bolstered by the hands-off attitude Pakistan's new civilian government initially adopted towards FATA last spring. The fact, however, remains that the fresh regrouping of militants was caused by the stepped-up attacks in the tribal areas by the unmanned US predators flown from Afghanistan.