Washington: In a stern message, a top American senator on Wednesday said that Pakistan needs to target the Haqqani network and not the press.


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Notably, the Pakistani government is in the dock after extending travel ban on a Dawn journalist who reported alleged differences between the military and civilian leadership over terrorists.


Taking to Twitter, Senator Bob Corker, the chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said: "Instead of targeting the press, Pakistan should focus on ending its sanctuary for the Haqqani network."


Notably, Corker was instrumental in blocking the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan early this year.


Dawn columnist Cyril Almeida on Tuesday said he was put on the Exit Control List - a border control system of the Pakistan government which allows it to bar people whose names appear on the list from leaving the country.


Almeida had reported on October 6 that the civilian leadership had bluntly told the military that Pakistan would face international isolation unless the armed forces acted against terrorist groups.


The report also spoke about a nasty exchange at a meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, a brother of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and a senior military officer.


Also Read: Pakistan daily backs Dawn reporter, asks Nawaz Sharif govt, 'why action against Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed danger to national security'


Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's office has thrice denied the report.


Meanwhile, Amnesty International condemned the Pakistan government for imposing a travel ban on Almeida.