After Haqqani's Resignation, Pakistan Taps Rahman As Ambassador To US

Pakistan named human rights advocate Sherry Rahman as its next ambassador to the U.S. in hopes of strengthening relations between the two countries.

Rahman, former information minister of Pakistan, replaces Husain Haqqani, who was forced to resign after allegations of sending a secret memo to the United States. Rahman has received wide approval from both Pakistan and the U.S. who are both nations are hopeful about the future of their relationship.

“I hope we can build better ties in the days ahead,” Rahman told the Christian Science Monitor. “Both countries seek stability in the region and we can build on converging goals.”

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Musharraf Denies Pakistani Knowledge Of Bin Laden

By Lisa Kellman

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf claimed Wednesday that although Osama Bin Laden was found in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad when he was killed earlier this year, it was not evidence of corruption on behalf of the Pakistani government.

“[My] honest conviction, it’s a case of terrible negligence which ought to be investigated and punished, but it is not a case of compliance,” said Musharraf.

Musharraf gave a speech at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace wherein he touched upon tensions between Pakistan and America.

The former president criticized the United States, Afghanistan, and India for the trouble his country faces with the Taliban and Al Qaeda. He declared that many issues may appear to have originated in Pakistan yet in fact, Pakistan is an innocent victim of circumstance in the Middle East.

Internal struggles in Pakistan include a dysfunctional government, a rise in terrorism and extremism, a rise in law and order situations, an economic collapse, and increasing political turmoil.

“Pakistan is in bad shape,” Musharraf acknowledged.

White House Responding To All Requests From Pakistan

White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton talked about the U.S. response to Pakistan’s humanitarian crisis Thursday.

“This catastrophe is one that’s on a human scale and widespread, and the United States is doing everything that it can to help the country of Pakistan.  We’ve given them tens of millions of dollars in aid.  U.S. helicopters and C130s are there delivering hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and medical supplies,” Burton told reporters aboard Air Force One.

The White House says that they are responding to all the requests that come in from the Pakistani government. 

“Our relationship with Pakistan is one that’s more than just about fighting armed extremists and we’re hoping to help them where we can.”

Obama and Cameron Catch Up

According to a press release from the White House, President Obama had a phone conversation with British Prime Minister David Cameron today. It has been almost three weeks since the Prime Minster visited the White House and they renewed their commitment on a shared global agenda. The two leaders talked about Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as the ongoing efforts towards direct peace talks in the Middle East. Prime Minister Cameron also discussed his recent trips to Turkey and India. 

Less Than 50 Pakistani Nationals Detained In Afghanistan, Claims U.S. Official

Although there are escalating concerns over the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the Afghan insurgency, there are only several dozen currently in custody in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. military official in charge of detainee operations within the nation.

“There are less than 50 [non-Afghan detainees],” Vice Admiral Robert Harward, who commands Joint Task Force 435, told reporters via-satellite from Afghanistan Thursday. “75 percent come from Pakistan.”

Recent documents released through the whistle-blower website Wikileaks revealed that Pakistan’s intelligence agency has been supplying the Taliban with support.