Pakistan's key role in terror arrests

Pakistan has stepped up security at its own airports
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Within hours of last week arrests in Britain of those involved in an
alleged plot to hijack and blow-up passenger planes over the Atlantic,
Pakistan's name had started to be linked to the events. Certainly, it is
not the first time a link has been established between religious
militancy in a foreign land and the extremist groups operating in
Pakistan. But this time around, the way Pakistan's name has figured in
the whole episode has been a matter of pride for many in the government.
The difference this time is that there has also been a high level of
co-operation between the British and Pakistani security and intelligence
services, leading to arrests in the two countries. Mixed feelings senior
Pakistani officials say that this co-operation has been in place since
last year's suicide attacks in London. This has helped in identifying
groups and people who could possibly be using young British Muslims of
Pakistani descent to carry out suicide missions.
Officials admit that, during the process, the Pakistani intelligence
authorities have learnt to withhold information - only leaking details
that in their view are necessary or are not going to jeopardise ongoing
investigations.
Therefore, some observers say, there is a strong possibility that the
specific information about the identities of those arrested in Pakistan
may have first come out from London or Washington. Pakistan's role has
been acknowledged by the British home secretary and other leaders.
President Pervez Musharraf received praise from President George W Bush
after senior al-Qaeda figures such as Khaled Sheikh Mohammed and Abu
Zubaydah were arrested and handed over to the US on previous occasions.

Pakistan’s role in the “war on terror” has drawn some criticism at
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But at home, there have been mixed feelings about how President
Musharraf and his team have been handling the entire issue of the
so-called war on terror. In the absence of specific information, many of
the government's actions are seen as attempts to please the West rather
than the people at home.
The continuing military operation against suspected Taleban fighters
and their local supporters in the tribal region near the Afghan border
has also affected President Musharraf's popularity in the country.
Contentious issues
Despite such criticism, President Musharraf seems determined to
pursue the policy of curtailing or eliminating Islamic extremism from
Pakistan. He says it is not being done at the behest of the US or
Britain as, he says, it is in Pakistan's own interest. And in some ways
this policy has also become part of his political battle for survival in
the wake of growing opposition in the country. With the president's own
election, and that of a new parliament, a little over one year away, the
opposition parties have started to get their act together.
There are strong indications that the liberal and Islamic groups may
form a joint front to take on the Pakistani military ruler in the coming
year. Analysts say that, in such a situation, President Musharraf may
have to look for further support from the West. But in order to do so,
he may have to satisfy them that he is doing the best he can to
eliminate the remnants of al-Qaeda from the country.
Still, questions are being asked about the Pakistani Islamic groups
that may be fanning trouble in Britain and elsewhere, and the Islamic
seminaries or madrassas that have remained the source of extremism both
within and outside Pakistan.
The latest episode may have earned President Musharraf some praise,
but there are many in the West who still question his sincerity in
combating the Taleban, if not al-Qaeda. And this may remain a
contentious issue as long as links are found between the Pakistan-based
groups and militants operating in other countries, or if the insurgency
continues in neighbouring Afghanistan.
(BBC NEWS)
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