Times Square probe to top US NSA’s talks in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - The probe into the attempted car bombing in New York’s Times Square, for which Pakistani American Faisal Shahzad has been arrested, will top the agenda during US National Security Adviser James Jones’ talks here Wednesday.

Jones, accompanied by CIA director Leon Panetta, arrived here Tuesday evening on a two-day visit for meetings with top government, military and intelligence officials.

The discussions would also focus on concerns about future terrorist attacks, Online news agency reported.

Jones and Panetta are scheduled to meet Wednesday with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani, and ISI chief Lt.Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha.

The CIA and the Pakistan intelligence agencies would also share the results of their respective investigations into Shahzad and his ties with militant groups in Pakistan, sources said.

The US media has quoted officials as saying that Jones and Panetta intend to reiterate to the Pakistanis the importance the Obama administration places on more aggressive military action against groups allied with Al Qaida in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

“In light of the failed Times Square terrorist attack and other terrorist attacks that trace to the border region, we believe that it is time to redouble our efforts with our allies in Pakistan to close this safe haven and create an environment where we and the Pakistani people can lead safe and productive lives,” National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer said in a statement.