Gilani rejects US pressure

Pakistan on Thursday closed ranks against increasing American pressure for action against the Al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network, refusing to be pressured into doing more in the war on terror. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani told a meeting of opposition leaders, members of his fragile coalition and military commanders that the US cannot pressure Pakistan to “do more” in the anti-terror war. He rejected allegations levelled against the Inter Services Intelligence by top American officials. The outgoing top US military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, had accused Pakistan of exporting violent extremism to Afghanistan and called the Haqqani network a “veritable arm” of the ISI. “American statements shocked us, and negate our sacrifices and successes in the ongoing war against terror,” Gilani said. ( from the gulf today )