Pakistan can redeem itself by going after al-Zawahiri

Rather than trying to punish their countrymen who provided the United States with information about Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts and activities in Pakistan that led to his death, Pakistani officials should set its sights on Ayman al-Zawahiri, the new leader of al-Qaida.

Al-Zawahiri, who served as bin Laden’s chief deputy for many years, is said to be living in Pakistan. Indeed, there have been reports that the Egyptian physician was occupying a house not too far from bin Laden’s home in Abbottabad at the time of the raid last month by U.S. special forces. Bin Laden’s killing has angered the Pakistani government because it was not informed of the operation.

The arrest of five Pakistanis, who provided the CIA with information about bin Laden’s compound and recorded the comings and goings of members of his inner circle, is a retaliatory move by the military that must be challenged by the Obama administration.

While it is true that Pakistan is America’s leading ally in the war on global terrorism, the relationship is costing this country billions of dollars a year.

There have long been credible reports that members of Pakistan’s intelligence service are involved with various Islamic extremist groups and also have ties to al- Qaida and the Taliban. It’s for this reason President Obama and his national security team decided not to alert the Pakistanis to the search-and-destroy mission.

Pakistan’s president, Asif Zardari, insists that his country is just as committed to the war on terrorism as the United States, and has pointed out that Pakistan has been the target of numerous attacks by Islamic militant groups, including al-Qaida and the Taliban.

The Obama administration has attempted to smooth the ruffled feathers, but until Pakistan shows a willingness to go after the leaders of the various groups, the country will be viewed with suspicion by the American people. There are members of Congress who question whether the United States is getting a return on its dollars.

Now, Zardari, the military and the intelligence service have a chance to prove their detractors wrong.

Al-Zawahiri, who masterminded numerous terrorist bombings around the world, including ones in East Africa and New York City, is the world’s most wanted man with a $25 million bounty on his head.

The announcement this week that he has succeeded bin Laden as the leader of al-Qaida, the world’s leading terrorist organization responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America’s homeland that claimed 3,000 lives, means he must become a top priority for the international community.

Crimes against humanity

He is just as guilty of crimes against humanity as bin Laden, and his death would mark the end of the troika that has caused suffering throughout the world.

Last year, Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, also known as Saeed al-Masri, a founder of al-Qaida, was killed by a U.S. drone attack. He was the organization’s chief financial officer and managed secret bank accounts in the Persian Gulf that were used to help finance the Sept. 11 attacks.

Osama bin Laden’s killing shook the terrorist organization to the core, but now al-Zawahiri has promised to avenge his death with an attack similar to Sept. 11.

Before those plans can be developed, he must be taken out — either by the Pakistanis, or the United States.

Pakistan has a chance to redeem itself.