Qaeda presence in Pak linked to Musharrafs political fortunes: UK paper

The presence of core leadership of al Qaeda in Pakistans tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, suggests that President Pervez Musharrafs political fortunes are of significant global importance, the Daily Telegraph says.

Lahore, Sep 22 : The presence of core leadership of al Qaeda in Pakistan's tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, suggests that President Pervez Musharraf's political fortunes are of significant global importance, the Daily Telegraph says.

If al Qaeda operatives are ever to be hunted down, the Musharraf regime must win over the support of local chiefs, the report adds.

Of the seven tribal areas, North Waziristan and Bajaur are thought to be safe havens for al Qaeda.

Pakistan's increasingly demoralised army has lost perhaps as many as 1,000 men in a series of fruitless operations in the tribal areas.

Under arrangements first negotiated by the British, all of these enclaves are officially exempt from the laws of Pakistan, and enjoy complete autonomy.

The report says that after the army's failure, only deals with local chiefs could help in netting terrorist suspects.

In the present scenario, Musharraf appears weak, and no tribal leader would risk concluding an agreement with him.

If Musharraf is able to retain his popularity and leadership, the tribal chiefs might be willing to cut a workable deal, says the paper.

The key question is whether Musharraf's reputation has been damaged beyond recovery?

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is emerging as a credible political alternative, though she has little authority over the military hierarchy.

America's preferred option appears to be for Musharraf to stay in power and broaden his support base by forming a coalition with Bhutto, The Telegraph reports.

There is no escaping the fact that the US is now bereft of strong allies in Pakistan.

ANI