16 January 2005	Sunday	05 Zilhaj 1425

WASHINGTON, Jan 15: Pakistan will continue to be buffeted by political turmoil and sporadic violence, and the military will continue to be involved in Pakistan's politics, says a CIA report.

The National Intelligence Council, an in-house CIA think-tank, predicts that "a rise in religious fundamentalism in its ranks," will also pose a challenge for the Pakistan Army.

The 120-page report, titled "Mapping the Global Future," aims at preparing the US administration for future challenges by tracing key trends that may influence world events. It is presented to the US president, members of Congress, cabinet members and key officials involved in policymaking.

Discussing the nuclear ambitions of India and Pakistan, the report observes that "despite the lack of a clear military doctrine in either India or Pakistan, the nuclear rivalry between the two countries has settled into an uneasy deterrence".

The CIA report points out that globally, India still "registers only in the context of blocking nuclear disarmament initiatives, grappling with Kashmir, or contending with Pakistan," which frustrates the Indian leadership.

"Because of the nuclear arsenal of China and the nuclear potential of Pakistan," the report says, India will continue its commitment to its nuclear programme.