Pakistan is really vulnerable these days. There is no doubt in it.
Unfortunately the newspapers in the West and in Pakistan are propounding these hair-brained analysis just to spite President Bush (and his allies).
Here is a quick view where these newspaper guys miss out entirely.
It is Afghanistan that opposes the idea of restricting cross border movement and not Pakistan.
It is Afghanistan that is suffering from the cancer of Pashtun-nonPashtoon backbiting.
Pakistan army will not let Taliban uprising turn into a Pashtoon uprising. They have learned their lesson from BDesh.
The reach of Pakistan based Taliban is limited to few border provinces in Afghanistan. What about rest of Afghanistan? Why there is no peace in Afghanistan's south and the Western regions.
Pakistan army is dominated by two ethnic groups: Punjabis and Pashtoons. There is no way that Pak army will use its full force against Pashtoons in FATA area. This will end up splitting the army. And God only knows what will happen if Pak army falls apart.
So people who sit in comfy air-conditioned offices have a habit of giving bombastic suggestions and this newspaper article is no different.
Here is what Americans and other well wishers can do to improve the situation.
Afghan war is a long war, so do not try to win it in few years.
Quit dividing Pakistan along civilian vs. army. Whatever the issues are in Pakistan are internal issues. The West should look at Pakistan as a country and not a collection of wild animals eternally at each others throat.
Induct Pak army into NATO and make it part of the allied force. As both of them are fighting the common enemy.
Establish joint command and communication center that includes Pakistani officers.
Rotate the top allied commander every year and let a Pakistani general run the allied operation when the turn comes.
Provide $40 billion to build major highways and railways through FATA.
Help Pakistan with easy credit for the next 10 years
Indian army and RAW should be kept out of Afghanistan. This only destabilizes an already tense situation.
Help Northern Alliance controlled Kabul government understand the basic fact. "quit your 60 years old vendetta against Pakistan". The days of Nadir Shah or Ghori are long gone. Afghanistan is now of the size comparable to a province of Pakistan. So Afghans must know their place.
Help restrict the movement across Pak-Afghan border.
Unless Taliban are opposed with force
AND
FATA areas are changed economically the malice of tribal anarchy will be here for a long time.