The Pakistan Army has ruled out new offensives against the Taliban in the next six months, instead it would try to consolidate recent gains made in anti-terror operations. Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, Director General Inter Service Public Relations, said this in a press conference with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates. The announcement comes as a disappointment to the US, which has pushed Pakistan to expand its operations against militants staging cross-border attacks on coalition troops in Afghanistan. Washington believes such action is critical to succeed in Afghanistan as it prepares to send an additional 30,000 troops to the country this year, the Online news agency reported Thursday. The comments by Gen. Abbas indicated Islamabad will not be pressured to fight militants who are not waging war against Pakistan. "We are not talking years," Abbas said. "Six months to one year" would be needed before Pakistan could consolidate gains and expand military operations, he added.
