Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Friday said US accusations that it is running a proxy war and supporting the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network are "very unfortunate and not based on facts". Responding to scathing criticism by the US military's top officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani denied allegations that his country is "exporting" terror to neighbouring Afghanistan.
"While taking note of the recent statements made by Admiral Mullen... Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, termed these as very unfortunate and not based on facts," a military statement quoting him as saying. "This is especially disturbing in view of a rather constructive meeting with Admiral Mullen in Spain," referring to a recent meeting between the pair in Spain.
Kayani hoped "the blame game" should give way "to a constructive and meaningful engagement for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan, an objective to which Pakistan is fully committed," the statement added. On the specific question of contacts with Haqqanis, the Army Chief said, "Admiral Mullen knows fully well which all countries are in contact with the Haqqanis. Singling out Pakistan is neither fair nor productive".