The departure of Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, will usher in a new phase in the fight against terrorism, said Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States.
The war against terrorism needs to be a cooperative effort between Afghanistan, Pakistan, NATO and the United States, Haqqani told Renee Montagne.
"Unfortunately, there was no chemistry between Gen. Musharraf and [Afghanistan] President Karzai — which did not facilitate cooperation between the two countries," Haqqani said.
"I think we will see a more cooperative phase."
Pakistan is prepared to cooperate with its allies and to share intelligence, the ambassador said.
But Haqqani said he doesn't think that cooperation would include U.S. forces going after militant leaders in Pakistan, as has happened in Afghanistan.
"I do not think [the introduction] of NATO or American troops on the Pakistani side is even something that anybody seriously considers," he said.
As for Musharraf's fate — and whether he will face charges for any of his actions in office — Haqqani said that will likely be decided by a vote in Parliament.
"Pakistan has a very bad tradition," Haqqani said, in which "people who are removed from power end up in prison. That is not necessarily the way forward for a nation that is faced with as many challenges as Pakistan is."
Even after Musharraf is replaced, the government will still view counterterrorism as one of its top priorities, Haqqani said.
Saying that recent terrorist attacks in the region have killed more Pakistanis than Americans, Haqqani said, "Fighting terror is Pakistan's war."
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