Nawaz Sharif, seen as the front-runner in Pakistan’s election race, said the country should reconsider its support for the U.S. war on Islamist militancy and suggested that he was in favor of negotiations with the Taliban.
Pakistan backed American efforts to stamp out global militancy after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and was rewarded with billions of dollars in U.S. aid.
But many Pakistanis have grown resentful, saying thousands of Pakistani soldiers have died fighting “America’s war”.
Sharif, a religious conservative who is hoping to become prime minister for a third time after next Saturday’s election, said the Pakistani military’s U.S.-backed campaign against the Taliban was not the best way to defeat the insurgency.
“I think guns and bullets are always not the answer to such problems,” he told Reuters in an interview in his black armored car on Saturday. “I think other options need to be explored at the same time and see what is workable. And I think we’re going to pursue all these other options.”
Army offensives have weakened the Pakistani Taliban, which is close to al Qaeda, but they have failed to break the movement’s back.
Sharif wants a review of the backing provided for the U.S. war on militancy under the previous government’s approach.
“Someone will have to take this problem seriously,” said Sharif, as he headed to an election campaign rally. “All stakeholders will have to sit down together and understand the concerns of all parties and then take a decision, which is in the best interest of Pakistan and the international community.”
His comments are likely to anger Washington, which has been pushing Pakistan to both stamp out domestic militancy - where Taliban militants are waging a violent campaign to impose their austere brand of Islam - and to help defeat the Afghan Taliban.
The United States is hoping the elections will usher instability so that Pakistan can help pacify neighboring Afghanistan as U.S.-led NATO troops prepare to leave by the end of 2014.
Sharif’s party, the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N),has capitalized on widespread frustration with the outgoing Pakistan People’s Party, which has failed to address an array of issues from chronic power cuts to widespread poverty.
None of that poverty could be seen anywhere near Sharif’s vast estate on the edge of his native Lahore. Peacocks wandered along manicured lawns overlooking a palatial home with stuffed lions beneath photographs of him with heads of state, including former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Pakistan should mull support for U.S. war on terror, says election frontrunner

Pakistan's election race front-runner says the country should reconsider its support for the U.S. war on Islamist militancy. (Reuters)
Reuters, Pakistan
Sunday 05 May 2013
SHOW MORE
Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:39 - GMT 06:39
DAY | WEEK |
-
17969 Views Loud explosion heard in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh
-
4341 Views COVID-19 vaccine might be needed every year: UAE health spokesperson
-
4037 Views Sinopharm Peru vaccine trial volunteer dies of COVID-19 pneumonia, received placebo
-
3877 Views Israel talks tough on Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas: Our response to be extreme in next war
-
3206 Views US Senate Republicans unite behind failed efforts to halt Trump impeachment trial
-
1628 Views Coronavirus: US pharmacist tries to spoil COVID-19 vaccines, pleads guilty
-
24480 Views Coronavirus: Dubai temporarily postpones Pfizer vaccine campaign amid global shortage
-
19920 Views Saudi Arabia’s PIF to invest 3 trillion riyals over next 10 years: Crown Prince
-
17969 Views Loud explosion heard in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh
-
11211 Views The American University of Beirut’s battle for survival
-
9609 Views Full moon to align directly above Kaaba in Mecca on Jan. 28
-
8718 Views Coronavirus: Dubai restaurants offer discounts for vaccinated diners
SHOW MORE