Much remains to be done by Pakistan against Taliban: US

Washington, May 12: Noting that "much remains to be done" by Pakistan government, which has "finally taken up the fight to the enemy", a top US senator today said Islamabad has the potential either to be "crippled" by Taliban, or to serve as a "bulwark" against the militants.

Senator John Kerry, Chairman of powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, noted that "dangers of inaction" have risen in the recent times and said there is a need for the US to make a long term commitment to Pakistan in the fight against extremists.

"In recent days we have seen encouraging signs that Pakistan's Army is finally taking the fight to the enemy, but much remains to be done," Kerry said at a Committee's hearing on Pakistan wherein Richard Holbrooke, Special US Representative for Pak-Afghan region, testified before it.

"Pakistan today has the potential either to be crippled by Taliban, or to serve as a bulwark against everything the Taliban represents," he said.

Kerry is co-sponsor to a Senate Bill which proposes tripling of financial aid to Pakistan in the next five years.

"Since President (Barack) Obama called on Congress to pass a Pakistan aid bill, the dangers of inaction have risen almost by the day. The government has struck an ill-advised deal that effectively surrendered Swat Valley to Taliban. Predictably, this emboldened Taliban to extend their reach ever closer to the country's heartland," he said. PTI