US report blames Pak 'safe heavens' for undermining war success in Afghanistan
Islamabad, Dec 11 (ANI)
Pakistan is persistently undermining security in Afghanistan by allowing safe havens for insurgents, a Pentagon report has claimed.
In a twice-a-year war assessment mandated by Congress, the US Defense Department said that the 68,000 US troops in Afghanistan and their allies had succeeded in preventing Taliban advances while limiting civilian casualties.
The report, however, pointed out that the Taliban havens across the border in Pakistan, the limited capacity of the Afghan government and 'endemic corruption' pose the greatest risks as the US prepares to pull out its troops, the News reports.
"Pakistan's continued acceptance of sanctuaries for Afghan-focused insurgents and failure to interdict (explosive) materials and components continue to undermine the security of Afghanistan and pose an enduring threat to US, coalition and Afghan forces," the report said.
According to the paper, the report, which covered developments from April through September, said that Pakistan 'has contributed to US interests while simultaneously falling short in other areas.'
The report also noted the better US relations with Pakistan, which agreed in July to reopen Western forces' supply routes into Afghanistan, the paper said.