Islamabad rejects Leon Panetta’s recent allegations on militants’ hideouts
Saturday, June 9th, 2012 4:39:51 by Faisal Farooq
Islamabad dismissed US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta’s recent comments on militant hideouts in the tribal region, saying that these statements are unconstructive in bringing about stability in the region.
A statement issued by the Foreign Minister observed, “We feel that the Secretary of Defence is oversimplifying some of the very complex issues we are all dealing with in our efforts against extremism and terrorism”.
The press note asserted saying that such comments were misplaced and uncooperative in bringing about peace and stability in the region.
Islamabad frequently clarified that it will not allow any safe hideouts on its soil. He observed, “Pakistan has repeatedly said that it will not allow its territory to be used against any country, nor will it allow any safe havens on its territory and strategy on operations against militants”.
The ministry was of the opinion that Pakistan will follow its own timeline, rejecting the pressure influenced through different sources.
US Secretary for Defence Leon Panetta said a couple of days back during a trip to Afghanistan that stabilization efforts in Afghanistan would remain difficult as long as militants had hideouts in Pakistan.
He observed, “It is very important for Pakistan to take steps. It is an increasing concern, the issue of safe haven, and we are reaching the limits of our patience and using some of the strongest language from a senior US official on Washington’s strained relations with Islamabad”.
It was some of the strongest language used by a US official to describe the strained ties between Washington and Islamabad.
US officials often describe Pakistan as an unreliable partner in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan and demand tougher action against militant groups, especially those said to be based in Pakistan’s tribal regions.
The United States wants Pakistan to go after the Haqqani group, which is close to the Afghan Taliban and al-Qaeda, and is blamed for some of the deadliest attacks on Western forces in Afghanistan.
Tags: Afghanistan, Al-Qaeda, Haqqani Network, India, Islamabad, Pakistan, Taliban, United States, US Secretary for State Leon Panetta, WashingtonShort URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=25278
Posted by Faisal Farooq
on Jun 9 2012. Filed under Pakistan, USA.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
One had mentioned in one of his comments some time back that appointment of hawks like the Secretary of Defense & Director CIA would ignite 3rd World War in our region & we are slowly heading towards that.
Well Pakistan had rejected stories about OBL’s presence and Kasab’s provenance too.
These stories turned out to be true.
So the current charges must also be as true.