Militant tag rankles Pakistan | WPN World People News

Pakistan has firmly rejected suggestions from the United States that it has been involved in providing a safe area for militants.

The allegation was made on Thursday by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, who said that safe havens
in Pakistan were ensuring a lack of stability in the area.

He said Pakistan should take steps to prevent militants from using Pakistan territory before the United States reached "the limits of our patience."

On Saturday the Pakistan Foreign Ministry replied in a statement, saying: "We feel that the Secretary of Defense is oversimplifying some of the very complex issues we are all dealing with in our efforts against extremism and terrorism. We strongly believe that such statements are misplaced and unhelpful in bringing about peace and stability in the region."

Pakistani protesters took to the streets in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Saturday to condemn US drone attacks in the country's tribal areas.

The protesters gathered following remarks from Leon Panetta last week in which he said Washington would continue its drone attacks in Pakistan despite complaints from Islamabad.

While Pakistani civilians have been the main victims of the drone attacks, Washington has insisted its drones are programmed to target militants.

Source: Pakistan News.Net