US Congressional Report “World at Risk” declares “Pakistan” as the top priority for the incoming US administration considering its long and medium term national interests.
“Our Commission has singled out Pakistan for special attention in this report, as we believe it poses a serious challenge to Americas short-term and medium-term national security interests. Indeed, many government officials and outside experts believe that the next terrorist attack against the United States is likely to originate from within the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in Pakistan. The Commission agrees. In terms of the nexus of proliferation and terrorism, Pakistan must top the list of priorities for the next President and Congress.” The report claims.
The 160 page document which was compiled in 180 days by more than two dozen professionals and security matter experts proposed a series of 13 recommendations ranging from deeper engagement of ordinary US citizens in security matters to greater engagement with Pakistan to eliminate terrorist safe havens through military, economic, and diplomatic means.
The report also included a brief account of extradition of Dr Afia Siddiqua.
“On July 17, 2008, the Afghanistan National Police arrested Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani woman believed to have ties to al Qaeda, who reportedly had been acting suspiciously outside the governor’s compound in Ghazni province. Educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at Brandeis University, where she earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience, she had been wanted by the FBI since 2004—the first woman sought by the law enforcement agency in connection with al Qaeda. According to media accounts, when arrested she had in her possession a list of New York City landmarks, documents describing how to produce explosives, and details about chemical, biological, and radiological weapons. She was extradited to New York for trial on charges of attempted murder and assault of U.S. officers in Afghanistan.” It stated.
Renown and acclaimed Pakistani nuclear scientist Dr A Q Khan was once again accused of running a secret network which supplied nuclear arsenal and technical know how to countries like Iran, Libya and North Korea.
“Several states have tapped into black markets and illicit networks that supply nuclear materials, designs, and expertise to almost any buyer who is interested. The best known of these networks, run by the Pakistani scientist A. Q. Khan, assisted Iran, Libya, North Korea, and perhaps others in acquiring the technologies and designs needed to develop illicit nuclear programs. It unraveled in 2003 after authorities intercepted the BBC China, a cargo ship on its way to Libya with gas centrifuge components on board. It is unlikely that Khan’s network could be reconstituted, but black-marketing of dangerous technologies, designs, and expertise continues to this day and is a major concern.”
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