Army not to launch new offensive in 2010: Gen. Athar

Dunya News

Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Athar Abbas has said that no new operation will be launched for one year. Army spokesman Gen. Athar Abbas clearly indicated Pakistan will not be pressured in the near-term to expand its fight beyond militants waging war against the Pakistani state. Whether it can be convinced in the long-term is still an open question, a foreign agency said. We are not talking years, Abbas told reporters traveling with Gates. Six months to a year would be needed before Pakistan could stabilize existing gains and expand any operations, he said. He said army operation is already under way in South Waziristan and Swat. For now, Pak army will strengthen its position in the areas where it has regained control.