THE apprehension expressed by the Pakistani leadership in a meeting with Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke that the latest American offensive launched in south of Afghanistan close to the Durand Line will push the militants into Balochistan and FATA ought to be taken seriously by the Obama administration. Concurrently, Vice President Joe Biden who posited out during a visit to Ukraine that if the Afghanistan-Pakistan border did not get straightened out, it would continue to wreak havoc on the US should not sidestep the issue of Pakistan's security. Instead of trying to make things better, the US could end up making the situation much more complex with Pakistan between a rock and a hard place. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Zardari who met Mr Holbrooke rightly pointed out that the US ought to change its strategy in South Asia. While the former asked the US to end the drone attacks since they are proving counter-productive, the latter emphasized that Pakistan was in need of a Marshal plan to overcome its security and economic crisis. But unfortunately, there is hardly any indication from these meetings that the US will be willing to give the suggestions serious thought. On the contrary, the Special Envoy's, tone and tenor suggested US indifference. He urged Islamabad to extend its fight against militancy along the border with Afghanistan and Balochistan. This will have disastrous consequences for Pakistan's security. The armed forces, which are currently busy fighting the militants in Swat will risk over-stretching themselves. The conflict in Balochistan revolves around the political discord between the nationalists and the federal government. The solution instead lies in addressing the problems that rankle with the local population. Secondly, New Delhi's disposition to exploit the situation makes it difficult for Pakistan to re-deploy its forces to the western front. Likewise, the US has done nothing tangible to persuade the Indians to resume the dialogue process or resolve the Kashmir issue. In circumstances of the sort, will not the Americans be pushing Pakistan to the edge by making such demands for opening up new fronts? The US must instead come to its rescue; help it out in the ongoing offensive in Swat. The rehabilitation of the dislocated persons is a task, for instance that cannot be performed without international support. Besides, it is paramount duty of the US to ensure that Pakistan Army is equipped with the right kind of equipment needed to take on militants in terrains like Waziristan and Swat.