I refer to your editorial (July 22, 2007) on the recent landmark judgment by the Pakistan Supreme Court announcing the restoration of the Chief Justice to his office. Indeed, the verdict is a big slap on the face of Pakistani military regime and its tactics. I do, however, disagree partly with your assumption that: "At a time when Pakistan is under assault from various quarters, especially from religious extremists, and with the Americans threatening to strike al-Qaeda bases in the country, the Supreme Court judgment is an unambiguous statement that there can be no military solution to Pakistan's problems".

Pakistan is officially a partner of the US in its global "War on Terror" the Pakistan army received $ 6.4 billion from the USA since 9/11 and is legally bound to eliminate terrorists operating within the country. However, despite Pakistan's "repeated assurance" and "all-out effort" many al-Qaeda, Taleban, and local Sunni religious extremist groups take "safe shelter" in the tribal regions of Frontier, Balochistan and northern parts of Pakistan.

For an "unknown" reason Pakistani troops prefer conducting operations against some selective tribes and areas. Also, almost all the joint US-Pakistan operations against key al-Qaeda / Taleban figures failed "mysteriously". Considering all the facts, can the US be blamed if it now chooses to strike terrorist hideouts in a weakly governed Pakistan without consulting Islamabad?

M. Emad

Oxford, UK