US cracks down on Haqqani Network, imposes sanctions on Mali Khan

US cracks down on Haqqani Network, imposes sanctions on Mali Khan

In a calculated move made by the US authorities on Wednesday, November 2, sanctions were imposed on the jailed militant commander of the Haqqani Network, Mali Khan. The action would allow the government to block any benefit derived by the detained commander
or his associates under American jurisdiction.

The move comes as no surprise as the American forces intensify their operations against the Haqqani Network in the Waziristan region of Pakistan. Though not termed as a terrorist agency, the Haqqanis are being pushed into negotiating with the coalition forces
in Afghanistan on the erection of a peace plan. The militant group has been blamed for most of Afghanistan’s problems on the Eastern border.

President George W. Bush had blacklisted Mali Khan with an executive order in 2001. The move was directed to block funds for suspected terrorists.

"All property subject to US jurisdiction in which Mali Khan has any interest is blocked and US persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him," the State Department said.

"This action will help stem the flow of financial and other assistance to the Haqqani network," the State Department said.

Even though claims have been made by many Western Armed Forces on the arrest of Mali Khan in Afghanistan, State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland says the sanctions are aimed at closing down any transactions that may involve the commander and his colleagues.

"We want to make sure that… nobody can do business with anybody who has access to his stuff, and/or… if he ever came to a time when he was out of custody, that he shouldn’t have any illusions about being able to do business," she told reporters.

The Network has been a target for the American forces for a very long time now. There has been an initiative undertaken by US President Barak Obama to retreat troops and promote peace in Afghanistan. However there is fierce resistance being offered by the
Taliban.

With a wide range of attacks occurring across the region, there is scepticism around the region on whether the coalition forces can bring peace to the negotiating table.  

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Posted by Zuhaib Gull on Nov 2 2011. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan, USA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry