Gilani hits back at US, says Pakistan cannot be asked to 'do more' [View All]

[xchrom]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Gilani-hits-back-at-US-says-Pakistan-cannot-be-asked-to-do-more/articleshow/10173000.cms

SLAMABAD: The United States must stop blaming Islamabad for regional instability, Pakistan's prime minister told a gathering of the country's political leaders on Thursday, as Washington stepped up pressure on the South Asian nation to tackle militancy.

"The blame game should end, and Pakistan's sensitive national interests should be respected," Yusuf Raza Gilani said in comments carried live on local television stations.

Pakistani military officials, who set security and foreign policy, were expected to brief the meeting, where the possibility of unilateral US military steps against militants in Pakistan could be discussed.

"Solutions to issues based on perceptions should be sought through meaningful negotiations. Pakistan cannot be pressurised to 'do more.'" Gilani told officials including the head of Pakistan's military spy service, Lieutenant-general Ahmad Shuja Pasha, and army chief General Ashfaq Kayani, arguably the most powerful man in Pakistan.