"The
real problem lies in Afghanistan, not in Pakistan," Kayani was quoted as
saying by a parliament member who attended the three-hour briefing at army
headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Kayani briefed
the committee ahead of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ‘s visit to Islamabad
Thursday.
Clinton,
during her visit, will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf
Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Gen. Kayani.
Kayani
said Pakistan alone would decide if and when to launch a full-scale offensive
in North Waziristan, which Western intelligence agencies say is a sanctuary for
militants who cross the border to attack US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan.
He also
said the United States would have to think "10 times" before taking
any unilateral action there. Pakistan is not like Iraq or Afghanistan, the
parliamentarian quoted Kayani as saying, suggesting that any North Waziristan
operation would be very risky.
"The
problem lies in Afghanistan, not Pakistan," the parliamentarian quoted
Kayani as telling the committee in a national security briefing at army
headquarters in Rawalpindi.
