Washington: Pakistan’s current civilian government may complete its full term as the nation’s powerful army is not inclined to stage a coup, a top American intelligence official has said.
“The history has been that we’ve never had an administration that saw the completion of its whole term. I am moderately optimistic that this one may succeed, despite all its current challenges and the court proceeding that’s going on there now,” Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told the US Congress.
The top American intelligence official’s estimation comes as no civilian government on Pakistan has been able to complete its full term. Clapper said his review was based on reports that present Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani is not inclined to a military coup as he is very sensitive to the independence of the military.
“I don’t think it’s the inclination of the current army leadership, specifically General Kayani, who I think is very sensitive to the independence of the military and not doing that,” he said in response to a question from Senator Mark Udall at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Udall asked the likelihood of another military coup in Pakistan over the next year to two years.
Clapper said the Pakistani government is in the throes of kind of re-examining its relationship with the United States.
“I’m not sure I’d go so far as to say they would insist on dominance, but they certainly want to have insight and influence in Afghanistan, particularly in a post 2014 context — remembering that their primary interest is India,” he said. Clapper said Pakistan, despite having capabilities, does not have intentions to take on the Haqqani network. (PTI)
