Washington, Dec. 2 : An American expert on South Asian affairs has said that he hopes that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will be in control of the country’s premier intelligence outfit, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which has often been maligned for supporting terror strikes in neighbouring India.

The Dawn quoted Bruce Riedel, who advises US President-elect Barrack Obama on South Asian affairs, said: “Mr. Zardari has also promised to get control over the ISI and to stop its policy of both chasing and supporting terrorism in Pakistan. His ability to do so is still very much in doubt.”

He further notes that Zardari has made several positive statements about his desire to ease tensions with India, including a pledge that Pakistan will adhere to a ‘no first use’ of nuclear weapons doctrine.

In an opinion released by the Brookings Institution think-tank, Riedel describes Zardari’s pledge as “a major change in Islamabad’s position” on the nuclear issue. (ANI)