ISLAMABAD (AP) – Pakistan summoned the U.S. ambassador to reject allegations in a Pentagon report that Islamabad supports militant proxies in neighboring India and Afghanistan as Pakistan’s army chief met with the Afghan president in Kabul on Thursday to discuss how to enhance cooperation in the fight against militants.
According to the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad, Pakistani National Security and Foreign Affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz conveyed the complaint to U.S. Ambassador Richard Olson in a meeting at the ministry.
The U.S. Defense Department report, entitled “Progress Towards Security and Stability in Afghanistan,” said militants continue to enjoy safe havens in Pakistan, which uses the fighters as a hedge against its loss of influence in Afghanistan and as a counterweight to India’s superior military.
Pakistan said the allegations are of particular concern now as its military is waging a major offensive against militants in North Waziristan, a tribal region bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan launched the long-awaited operation in June, following years of allegations that it was turning a blind eye to cross-border attacks from Pakistan on Afghan and NATO security forces.
Islamabad has always denied the allegations, and has accused Kabul of hosting militants that carry out attacks in Pakistan.