WASHINGTON: The United States has acknowledged Pakistan's continued actions to clamp down on militants operating in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, which is tasked with integrating intelligence analyses, noted at a Congressional hearing that on the positive side this past year Pakistani forces have continued counterterrorism actions against militants in the federally administered tribal areas, where al-Qaeda linked militants and Taliban took refuge.
He also made note of the May 11 general elections as a milestone for the country, after the democratically elected government in Islamabad completed its constitutionally mandated five-year term.
However, he told the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence that lack of effective tax reforms and collection system impede the South Asian country's progress towards sustainable economic growth.
In the prepared remarks submitted to the panel, Clapper noted that Islamabad is intently focused on Afghanistan in anticipation of the ISAF drawdown. "The Pakistani Government has attempted to improve relations with Kabul and ensure that its views are taken into consideration during the transition period."
On Afghanistan, he assessed that the Taliban-led insurgency has "diminished in some areas of Afghanistan but remains resilient and capable of challenging US and international goals."
Afghanistan's economy, helped by foreign aid over the years, will suffer post-2014, when international forces complete handover of security responsibility to Kabul and end combat operations.
On relations between Pakistan and India, the director of national intelligence said the two countries "have made calculated decisions to improve ties, despite deep-rooted mistrust."
"They held a series of meetings in the past year and will probably continue to achieve incremental progress on economic relations, such as trade, while deferring serious discussion on the more contentious issues of territorial disputes and terrorism."
<Center><b><i>Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2013</b></i></center>
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