Pakistan on Friday warned its cooperation in the US-led war on al Qaeda was at risk after heavily criticising the top US military officer for suggesting it could have approved a journalist’s murder.
Journalist Saleem Shahzad’s body was found just outside Islamabad on May 31, bearing marks of torture. On Monday, the New York Times quoted US officials as saying that the ISI ordered the killing to muzzle criticism after Shahzad wrote about links between rogue elements of the military and al Qaeda. Admiral Mike Mullen waded into the fray on Thursday by saying, “I haven’t seen anything that would disabuse that report” when asked about media reports that the government had approved Shahzad’s killing. Nevertheless, when asked if Pakistan’s intelligence service had been involved, Mullen said he could not confirm the allegation. Regardless, the remarks aggravated relations already strained by a covert US raid in May that killed al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and the killing of two men by CIA contractor Raymond Davis in Lahore in January. “If someone has given such a statement then it is extremely irresponsible,” Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan told a news conference.
Problems
“The statement by Admiral Mike Mullen regarding Pakistan will create problems and difficulties in the bilateral ties,” she said. “It will also impact our joint efforts in war against terrorism,” Firdous added, refusing to elaborate but saying the Foreign Office would issue another statement.
Complicated relationship:
Meanwhile, the White House said Washington’s relationship with Pakistan was complicated but at the same time very important in the fight against terrorism, Online reported.
Think before you speak, Pakistan tells US
