THERE should be no doubt in anybody’s mind that the US would not take long to declare the Haqanni network a terrorist organisation and by doing so will get a licence to go after them, with or without Pakistan’s consent, anywhere in Pakistani territory.

The drones being most accurate and lethal weapon are a safe method with the US military to target the network.

They do not need to carry out a ground operation to go out on suspected positions. All they need to do is to inflict enough damage on the network to make it toothless.

But drone attacks due to collateral damage are radicalising other people who may not have supported the Taliban and the militants.

Drone attacks are having far-reaching psychological impact on Pakistani society, including tribal areas and settled urban population of big cities.

An action against Haqqanis will result in more suicide attacks in urban areas, thus spreading terror all over Pakistan. Such a dispensation only helps the US when they are already planning to withdraw.

But the flip side of the coin is that wounded Haqqanis may prove more fatal to both sides. Are we prepared for that situation?

MUKHTAR AHMED BUTT Karachi