Washington says it does not doubt Islamabad's commitment

Lahore: The United States has said it does not doubt its ally Pakistan's commitment in the war on terror.

"Pakistan is a friend and ally of the US in the war against terrorism and there is no doubt about Pakistan's commitment in this regard since it has sacrificed the lives of more than 400 soldiers in the border areas," outgoing US ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Crocker told a private television channel here.

"Arrest of several Taliban leaders in Pakistan is evidence of the Pakistani government's commitment in the war on terrorism. No one knows where Al Qaida chief Osama Bin Laden is hiding," the envoy said.

Crocker, who is taking up a new assignment in Baghdad as the new US Ambassador to Iraq, replacing Zalmay Khalilzad, denied that US Vice President Dick Cheney had delivered a "tough message" to the Pakistani government during his recent visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US are facing a determined enemy, which changes its tactics frequently, and the three countries also need to change their strategy according to the situation. Therefore Cheney's visit to Pakistan should be seen in that context," he said in a talk with Indus TV. Crocker has served as interim envoy to the new government of Afghanistan.

The agreement between Pakistani government and pro-Taliban militants in North Waziristan was aimed at restoring peace in the region through socio-political measures, but it was not implemented properly, he said.

The deal signed had evoked suspicions from Kabul and the international forces battling the Taliban in Afghanistan.