US lawmakers seek clarity on shift in policy

ISLAMABAD-A marked shift in Pakistan's anti-militancy policy especially in Tribal Areas has raised many eyebrows in Washington and led to ever-increasing visits of US officials and lawmakers to Pakistan ostensibly to have a better understanding of the shift from 'battle field to the negotiation table'.

Even on Sunday two US Senators, including Chairman Senate Armed Services Committee Senator Carl Levin and Senator Robert P. Casey, had meetings with the top government functionaries including President, Prime Minister, Chief of Army Staff and leadership of the main stream political parties with focus on the issue of the terrorism and the way Pakistani authorities were dealing with it.

These US lawmakers wanted to know how this shift in policy toward the militants, out in the difficult terrain of Tribal Areas, would bear positive results and how the people engaged in fighting with Pakistan Army would sit down on negotiation table to settle their score.