A day after a 19-hour Taliban assault in Kabul, Panetta had expressed frustration that the Pakistani government has failed to crack down on Haqqani network militants, who Washington suspects were behind the attack.
"I'm not going to talk about how we're going to respond. I'll just let you know that we're not going to allow these kinds of attacks to go on," he said.
But foreign ministry spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua said Panetta's comments were not in keeping with the two countries' allied anti-terrorism efforts.
"These remarks are out of line with the kind of cooperation that exists between the two countries. Terrorism and militancy is a complex issue," she said.
"It requires cooperation between all the countries concerned. Pakistan's cooperation in this regard has been persistent."
"We have identified our position on all these issues. Pakistan and US are strategic partners and both sides need to discuss all issues in a cooperative manner," Janjua added.
Pakistani officials said it was the responsibility of US-led forces to crack down on militants when they enter Afghanistan.
"We are using all our resources to fight terrorism. As far as these issues like Haqqani network launching attacks from Pakistani territory is concerned, has any proof ever been given?" said a senior Pakistani military official who asked not to be named.
A senior Pakistani government official involved in defence policy said the South Asian country, reliant on billions of dollars in US aid, was doing all it could to stop militants from crossing the border to Afghanistan.
"But if the militants are doing something inside Afghanistan, then it is the responsibility of the Afghan and Western forces to hold them on the borders," he said.
"They let everyone go scot-free on their side (of the border) and then they say Pakistan is not doing enough."
Suspected ties to the Haqqanis
Panetta, who was CIA director until July, has long pressed Islamabad to go after the Haqqanis, perhaps the most feared of the Taliban-allied insurgent factions fighting US-led Nato and Afghan troops in Afghanistan.
Pakistan's Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence has long been suspected of maintaining ties with the Haqqani network, cultivated during the 1980s when Jalaluddin Haqqani was a feared battlefield commander against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.
Pakistan says it has no links to the group.
Panetta said he was concerned about the Haqqanis' ability to attack American troops and then "escape back into what is a safe haven in Pakistan."
"And that's unacceptable," Panetta said.
The CIA has had success targeting militants in Pakistan using pilotless drones. Last month, Admiral Mike Mullen, the top US military officer, cited progress curtailing Haqqani movements within Afghanistan.
Going after Haqqani could be risky for Pakistan's army, which is already stretched fighting Taliban militants determined to topple the US-backed government.
Haqqani himself is believed to have thousands of seasoned fighters, and he is revered by other militant groups who would likely defend him against any offensives.
US and Pakistani officials recently noted strong counter-terrorism cooperation after senior al Qaeda operative Younis al Mauritani was captured in Pakistan this month.
Comments from both sides suggested the allies were starting to put behind them the bitterness caused by bin Laden's death.
After the secret raid, the number of US military trainers in Pakistani, who had numbered in the hundreds a year ago, were reduced to literally a couple of hand-fulls earlier this year.
Some US officials in Washington said relations were still heavily strained.
"The bilateral relationship is still in deep trouble but the atmospherics are a bit better. Name calling has largely ended for now," said former senior CIA analyst Bruce Riedel, who has advised Obama on policy in South Asia.
"Distrust has not gone away, nor has the fundamental difference in the approach to terror.
COMMENTS (49)
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all the persons offering comments on above article are perverts with no sense and sanity. How one can jump with glee over other's misfortune? Only perverts can do it. Shame on u all.
@ AD "what about the Taliban attack on pakistan from Kunar province?? whose responsible for that??" . The Taliban are responsible as well as anyone who supports the Taliban. In short - neither the USA, NATO or Afghanistan is responsible for those attacks. Pakistan, however, has a long history of supporting the Taliban (they just flip flop occasionally on who they consider to be a bad Taliban) so if you looking to find a 3'rd party responsible for the Taliban attacks - look in the mirror.
@ali: What always surprise me is war against Pakistan is always portrayed as war against "Islam". If the later was the fact then many Islamic nation will be in state of Pakistan as it is today. Also even if I have to believe what you said, why is that all top terrorists coming from Islamic nation ? Why do muslims like to blow themselves up everywhere and anywhere ? How does it drive your point of view ? So clearly you are saying you rather listen to us, respect us whether us like it or not, better become one of us.......OR WE WILL BLOW YOU, so that we will get 42 or odd virgins and place in JANNAT. Please explain to me this mindset. The war is not against Islam, but certainly against the retarded few who malign Islam and unfortunately or by circumstance are citizen of Islamic nation. So stop skewing the facts.
@Asim Khan: Atleast you would know India has far more money then the total grant you received in past decade. If it has to support terrorism like you do in Kashmir there will be no Pakistan. But as much as you want to believe in conspiracy theories, India is not interested in breaking up Pakistan. It is relatively easier to focus on one messed up neighbor rather than fragments of multiple messed up nation. And yeah dont be proud of you F-16s , they won' fly unless USA wants them to. So :P
Vienna,15-09-2011 Pakistan & the U.S worked together in Pakistan and Afghanistan against Soviet Union.Before that Americans flew out of Pakistani soil over the Soviet territories during Dulles Era.Why should now they act differently even though calling themselves partners against terror assets sheltered in Pakistan? In love or war partners do not conjoin themselves back to back.Both games are played face to face. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
I think Pakistan needs to seal the border with Afghanistan to show the world where all the criminals are coming from. Pakistan has suffered more from criminals and refugees crossing from Afghanistan and it's sad that burocrats and politicians in the West play games to delude the public that they are losing the war due to Pakistan or some other country whereas it's their own fault due to bad policy decisions. Pakistan defeated the Soviets in Afghanistan for almost nothing. We ended the Cold War and brought down communist rule. Think about ow much money we saved the West. They repaid us by leaving behind all the criminal extremists from other countries in our land, left untold weapons and the refugees. Now that our country was destablized by them, do they really have any right to pass judgement? So sad that our leaders don't stand up for Pakistan more.
why don't they feed the victims of Israel's genocide,the poor of Africa and many more in the world? they are paying Pakistan for services; not as a charity. Its purely business no friendship and good feelings are required in such businesses.Pakistan doesn't want to indulge in the North so USA should cover their end of incursions into Afghanistan.
@Marc: life and death of Pakistan. and war against ISlam you want to get popcorn ? mind blowing
US acquisition seems out of place: why Pakistan (as alleged by USA) should favour high profile attacks in Afghanistan by Taliban once USA has announced thinout of troops. Timings of such attacks reflect that it may have been sponsored by those players who want to provide an excuse to America to prolong its stay in Afghanistan citing poor security situation.....atleast it does not suite Pakistan.
The distance from Pakistan border to Kabul is 135 KMs. If militants can track that distance and attack in Kabul without any impunity, who should be blamed? Pakistan or US led NATO? In my opinion , NATO is complicit or incompetent... Touche Mr. Panetta :-)
Only thing FO is good for is issuing press statements.
The question is simple. Who will audit and check USA?? IF there was 9/11 and some 'fabricated God know whom videos' are justifications and if false flag operations are justifications then there is no point of giving USA and her government any value. USA track record is filled with bullying nations and ransacking her resources. Regarding Pakistan Army is concerned the whole nation is proud of her and backs her. Please go to the masses and ask them of Pakistan army and you will get the response. Nothing will happen to Pakistan and USA should move to 10, 000 miles from where they arrived.
“I’m not going to talk about how we’re going to respond. I’ll just let you know that we’re not going to allow these kinds of attacks to go on,” . That seems like a pretty direct warning to me --- seems like the American's have decided on what they are going to do --- now it's your turn.
@Asim Khan: With the level of distrust with US, how do you know there is no secret remote controlled kill switch in the F16s?
@Asim Khan: Seems you guys have not learnt from last four outings! Try one more. Some people never learn.
@Beta: Whats the proof that was OBL killing episode? Did they kill and brough to Pakistan? Was that realy OBL? Why US was shy to not bring his body to media? Truth doesn't always flow from whitehouse. Something always dodgy. And this event is dubious. As far as the NW is concern, US knows there is not a single target there to pick up. Thousands of warriors have been living there for centuries and BTW they are not sitting in barracks or contol rooms they are gurrellas whom US is avoiding to confront with. Booting in NW = sucide for US troops which implies that Pakistan will definatly close NATO supply line which carrys critical food / medicins for US/NATO.
As far as Pakistan's double policy is concern they YES we had to play it. US came thousand miles alway to occupy a dead land and in the exceuse of 9/11 planed for permanent miltary bases. Why we allow this hostilities in our neighbour. Those you tagged terrorists have been living in our neighbour for centuries with harmoney. Why we kill our own blood for those who are occupier
@Asim Khan: I understand F16 is a not mythical object at least for Indians. Try using something else next time.
The problem with Panetta is that he does not read Pakistani advertising in the wall street journal costing USD 38000 per half page ( and no doubt charged to the CSF)
The ad said:" Which country can do more for your peace?... Only Pakistan ,"
Panetta's message is explicit! Isnt it?
Does he read the Express Tribune?
strong textPakistan has become like the item song “Munni badnam huyi, darling there liye”.
How far we can go in this relationship. Nothing is left, lost of billions of dollars in economy, thousand of lives, insfrastructure, deteriorated security situation and still no way to get out from this mess. Where we are heading to.
US should trust Pakistan and Pakistan should crush all militants. But, After all, US has to listen to the concerns of Pakistan on Afghanistan after US forces leave Afghanistan. Simply because, when US abondoned Pakistan in 1980s, these militants made their inroads to every nook and corner of Pakistan and today destabilizing Pakistan.
@Rsingh: get ur facts right you RetardSingh, 20 billion dollars was not all aid half of it was reimbursment. You should be worrying about Pakistan's F16s flying over Delhi n Mumbai if you dont stop supporting n aiding the terrorists wreacking havoc in Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad! Enemies Of Pakistan Murdabad!
@Amir:
Are you joking ? They had come picked OBL next door to your military academy, what courage you are talking of ? Yes it has taken years for them to realise Pak is playing double game with them and soon expect some action.
The didnt provide any evidence to the then Afghan government of 9/11 and still bombarded. They didnt provide any evidence of Iraq but still invaded war. Wonder if they will give any of Haqqani Network before they decide to engage themselves here.
How many (Taliban) networks are working in Afghanistan.... how many areas are in there control.... Can Mr.Panetta tell us..... We have been listing there truth less statement for last ten years
Pakistan has become like the item song "Munni badnam huyi, darling there liye". Not just USA, but even China has blamed Pakistan for the Uigher rebellion. Its time these countries look inwards of their policies against Muslims. We, on the other hand, should stop singing the tunes of what these country say and look forward to build "Islamic Ummah". But our Army/Politicians will do whatever they can to please the hostile masters by killing innocent muslims. Its time for unity & revolution in our country.
Dear Mr most perfect,faultless,peaceful and owner of the whole world "Panetta" what about the Afghans who attacks Pakistan on and of? Will you please now stop all conspiracies? and all the big games to conquer the whole worlds resources?
Mr Panetta just warning would not enough,some of yr latest 5th generation F22 fighter flying over the skies over Islamabad and Lahore would let you achieve what 20 billion dollars aid has failed to do so for you.
Looks like another Americans want to face the consequences the Soviets did. Let them shout!!!! You cant do anything now!! Get off from Afghanistan, the World hates you. The freedom fighters are going to get their lands.
Two headlines sums up the mentality of these two nations 1.US warns Pakistan after suspected Haquanni attack and US sends aid to flood victims in Pakistan Interesting.
@Beta: Had they courage to step their boots in NW, they would have done it 10 years ago
Mr. Panetta you excersise your influence over NATO to stop supporting anti Pakistan elements in Afghanistan who had done huge loss to Pakistan over the last few weeks.
There are credible news that terrorist attack on Pakistani check post in Chitral and another brazen attack on Dir check posts by TTP were supported by Afghan and NATO. People eye witnessed them to be backed by NATO copters and watch the attacked happening inside Pakistan.
How many times you gave statement when our soldiers were killed by infiltration from Afghanstan ?
If you think the recent attacked is backed by Haqqani (who you warned not stopped by Pakistan) then please take it as tit-for-tat.
I am getting the popcorn...this is getting interesting !
How will US respond remains to be seen but probability is that both drone and aerial attacks would be conducted in the initial stages but if Pakistan doesn't respond, hot persuit into NW will follow.
Ya they can "DO" anything they want thats goes in their FAVOUR.
He may have not contracted rabies? Rather sounds like a patriotic American!!! What our patriotic are doing??? Just facilitating each other to further disgrace homeland !!
ISI and Pak army has the habit of biting the hand that feeds, soon we can expect US army pounding North Waziristan.
His picture, somehow, reminds me of Noah Vosen from the Bourne movies. Is that what he is?
And then we complain that US forces violated our airspace.
what about the Taliban attack on pakistan from Kunar province?? whose responsible for that??
Mr.Panetta what about afghan militants who have routinely been crossing afghan border and killing Pakistan armed forces??? What about those CIA contractors who had been working with Taliban in Pakistan and involved in hundreds of suicide bombings??? What about drone attacks daily violating and crossing Pakistan border and killing innocent lives??? What about Raymond Davis who had been working as a secret CIA agent and killed innocent Pakistanis???? THANKS FOR YOUR CONCERN!!!!
This man Panetta has a perprtual bias against Pakistan and if his wishes were ever to come true, he would like Pakistan dismembered-God forbid.
Sorry Sir, We are in the mood of denial which keeps the pot boiling. It is not good for our strategic health to accept what you say.