Pak continues to support some terror groups: US official

“US and coalition success against the insurgency in Afghanistan could provide new long-term incentives for Pakistan to take steps against Afghan-focused militants”.

“Increased Pakistani cooperation is more likely,if Pakistan is persuaded that the US is committed to stabilising Afghanistan and capable of doing so,” he said at a news briefing held at the Foreign Press Centre.

Burrows said the safe haven that Afghan insurgents have in Pakistan is the group’s most important outside support.

“Disrupting that safe haven won’t be sufficient by itself to defeat the insurgency,but disrupting the insurgent presence in Pakistan is a necessary precondition for maintaining making substantial progress,” he argued.

“The increase in terrorist attacks in their country,meaning Pakistan have made the Pakistani public more concerned about the threat from Islamic extremists and more critical of al Qaeda. Pakistanis continue to support military force against the extremists,” Burrows said.

The US intelligence official said since January 2007,the Taliban has increased its influence and expanded the insurgency while maintaining most of the Pashtun belt strongholds.

“The challenges in Afghanistan are clear: first,reversing the Taliban’s momentum and reinforcing security elsewhere,second,improving Afghan security forces,governance and economic capability,so that the security gains endure and responsibilities can be transferred to the Afghans,” he said.

“Early successes in places like Helmand,where the Marines have been deployed for several months,where aggressive counter-drug and economic programs are in place,and where local governance is competent,show that we can make solid progress,” Burrows said.