Washington: The Pakistani government should challenge the terrorist safe heavens inside the country, the Pentagon has said, even as Islamabad said that it can't be asked to "do more" in the war against terror.
"We believe that the government of Pakistan should challenge that (terror) sanctuary," Pentagon spokesperson George Little said at an off camera news conference when asked about the remarks made by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Islamabad.
"I am not going to comment directly on the Prime Minister (Gilani). But there is a broad consensus inside this administration that there is sanctuary in Pakistan where the Haqqani network is allowed to operate," Little said.
Gilani yesterday countered US accusations linking Pakistani spy agency ISI to terror groups in Afghanistan, saying his country cannot be pressured to "do more" in the war on terror.
"Pressure cannot be put on Pakistan to do more (in the war on terrorism). Our national interests must be respected under all circumstances," Gilani had said.
PTI
First Published: Friday, September 30, 2011, 10:23