Pakistan heading towards anarchy, says journalist Rashid

Islamabad, Mar 24 (ANI): A Pakistani journalist has cautioned that the country is heading towards anarchy, in his new book.

The writer, Ahmed Rashid, gives a dire assessment of the region he has reported on for more than 30 years in 'Pakistan On The Brink: The Future of America, Pakistan, and Afghanistan' released in the US this week.

In his fifth book, the Lahore-based prize-winning journalist says he fears Pakistan is on the verge of a meltdown and blames both Pakistan and the Obama administration for the deterioration in their ties due to a series of destabilising incidents, including the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

He also offered solutions for his country's frayed ties with the United States (US) and how the US peace talks with the Taliban are crucial in its exit strategy from Afghanistan, The Daily Times reports.

The book insisted that Pakistan's escalating problems are rooted in its reliance on US aid, its complex politics, the government's lack of control over both its military and intelligence service and its failure to protect minorities and secure regions controlled by the Pakistani Taliban and other terrorist groups.

It could be troublesome for Washington if such groups gain further control in a nuclear-armed country where the military now largely controls foreign and security policies and has taken the lead in relations with the US, he said.

"There has to be a greater willingness by Pakistan to show when and under what conditions it would be willing to give up the sanctuary for the Taliban. And on the American side, there needs to be greater American trust in discussing their withdrawal plans and future plans with the Pakistanis."

"There is so much distrust now, on both sides," Rashid said, adding that ties "are certainly not going to return to what they were where there was almost a carte blanche for the Americans to do what they like in Pakistan. That is not going to happen again". (ANI)