Pakistan PM: US in ‘Disarray’ in Afghanistan

Posted September 25th, 2011 at 1:46 am (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

Pakistan's prime minister says U.S. allegations Pakistan is helping Afghan insurgents are indicative of the “confusion and policy disarray” within the U.S. establishment on the way forward in Afghanistan.

Yousuf Raza Gilani said late Saturday Washington's recent “propaganda blitz” against Pakistan was “most unfortunate,” ignoring the achievements and sacrifices of the Pakistani people.

The two countries are key allies in the war against militants in Afghanistan. But, Pakistan warned the U.S. last week that it risked losing an ally after Washington accused Islamabad of supporting al-Qaida-linked militants who attack U.S. targets in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Admiral Mike Mullen, told a Senate hearing Thursday the Haqqani network, acting with support from Pakistan's intelligence agency, or ISI, planned and conducted the recent assault on the U.S. embassy in Kabul. He said the Haqqani network is also responsible for the September 10 car bombing of a NATO base in central Afghanistan.

Pakistan's army chief, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, described Mullen's comments as a “blame game.” Kayani denied accusations Pakistan is supporting the Haqqanis or conducting a proxy war in Afghanistan.

On Friday, the White House urged Islamabad to take immediate action against the Haqqanis to ensure it is no longer a threat to the American or Pakistani people.