US has concerns over ISI ties with extremists

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby says US has long been concerned over elements in ISI having ties to extremists.

WASHINGTON: While declining to comment on the BBC story on a leaked NATO report which links Pakistan to the Afghan Taliban, the US said that they have had concerns about ties between the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s premier spy agency, and some extremist networks.

Pentagon spokesperson Captain John F. Kirby told The Express Tribune on Wednesday: "We have long been concerned about ties between elements of the ISI and some extremist networks." He added that the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has been clear that "he believes the safe havens in Pakistan remain a serious problem and need to be addressed by Pakistani authorities."

On Tuesday, briefing a Senate committee on intelligence, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said that Pakistan has had limited success against militants.

While the CIA director Gen. (Retd) David Petraeus addressing the same committee said success against some al Qaeda leaders was a result of cooperation from Pakistan.