Clinton arrives in Pakistan amid tight security

The latest bomb attack came several hours after the arrival of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Pakistan.

Her visit comes at a time of increased tension between the two countries.

America is known to be concerned about the Pakistan army’s policy of making deals with tribal chiefs to ensure they stay out of the conflict in Waziristan.

Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, Associate Professor of International Relations at Islamabad’s Quaid-i-Azim University, said: “As you know we are cutting deals with a few Taliban leaders. American worries are, that since these groups are actively sponsoring terrorism in Afghanistan, that Pakistan’s dealing with them and appeasement of these groups, might be problematic for the US, British and NATO forces in Afghanistan.”

Security is tight right across Pakistan to combat the Taliban’s terror campaign aimed at persuading the goverenment to abandon its operations in Waziristan.

Clinton has pledged a fresh start in relations with Pakistan, an increasingly sceptical partner in the struggle against Islamic militancy. She has pledged to refocus the relationship on “the needs of the people”.

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tags: Hillary Clinton, Pakistan, USA