Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Pakistan Spurns Panetta Remarks

Pakistan  Spurns Panetta Remarks

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Saturday rejected US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's recent remarks on terrorist safe havens in the North Waziristan tribal region near the Afghanistan border.
During an unannounced visit to Kabul on Thursday, the defense secretary warned that Washington's patience with Islamabad on the issue of rebel sanctuaries on its soil was fraying.

As long as terrorist hideouts existed in Pakistan, peace and stability would continue to elude Afghanistan, he told a news conference after high-level security talks with his Afghan counterpart.
He alleged the Haqqani network -- blamed for a string of deadly attacks on Afghan and foreign troops -- had safe havens in Pakistan's lawless tribal belt.

Asking Islamabad to initiate concrete action against the Al Qaeda-linked group, Panetta said: "It's an increasing concern that Haqqani safe havens still exist across the border...We are reaching the limits of our patience here."

Reacting to the remarks, the foreign ministry in Islamabad said: "We strongly believe that such statements are misplaced and unhelpful in bringing about peace and stability in the region."

"Leon Panetta is oversimplifying some very complex issues Pakistan is dealing with in its efforts against extremism and terrorism. These issues need to be seen in the context of overall peace and stability in Afghanistan and the border region," a statement from the ministry said.

It referred to Pakistan's repeated assurances that it would not allow its territory to be used against any country. "Our sacrifices remain unparalleled and our resolve unshakable."

The statement added that Pakistan was pursuing a well-thought-out strategy for combating extremism and terrorism and that it would follow its own timeline. (Pajhwok)