'US claims on Afghan Taliban Shura baseless'

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has rejected the US demand for crackdown against members of the so-called Afghan Taliban Shura allegedly hiding in Balochistan and termed the US claims as baseless and unfounded, TheNation reliably learnt on Sunday.
Well-placed sources informed that US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton during her recent visit to Pakistan pushed for the crackdown but to her sheer disappointment, the demand was rejected for lack of evidence.
Sources said Pakistan, however, acceded to the US request to help accelerate process of dialogue with the Taliban elements in Afghanistan.
Sources further said that US move comes in the wake of its failed efforts to woo away moderate Taliban elements from the hardcore fighting force that had been plotting attacks on the US-led multinational forces in Afghanistan. The US sponsored dialogue process was initiated last year with the help of Saudi Arabia and Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai.
Taliban commander and Naib Amir, Mullah Akhund has been in talks on behalf of Taliban demanding from the US to take its forces out of Afghanistan as soon as possible so that a government could be formed in line with wishes of Afghan people. Another major irritant that led the dialogue process inconclusive was the US efforts to create rift among the Taliban through different means.
However, the US has now sought Pakistan help and consequently President Asif Ali Zardari has sent Director General ISI, Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha to Saudi Arabia as his special emissary to discuss the renewed US proposal.
Sources said that Gen Pasha called on Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz in Riyadh the other day and conveyed the message of President Asif Ali Zardari. Gen Pasha also discussed matters of mutual interests with Saudi king. Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz also attended the meeting.