Rezaul H Laskar Stung by the repeated US criticism of the ISIs partnership with the Haqqani network in Afghanistan,Pakistans civil and military leadership hit back today,telling Washington that its accusations were not based on facts and,unless it changes its line,the US will alienate an old ally. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said,We have conveyed to the US that you will lose an ally. You cannot afford to alienate Pakistan,you cannot afford to alienate the Pakistani people. If they are choosing to do so,it will be at their own cost. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan was crucial to the US war effort in Afghanistan. They cant live with us. They cant live without us. The US upped the ante further today,with the White House asking Pakistan to break any link they have with the Haqqani network,which the top US commander Admiral Mike Mullen had blamed yesterday for the September 13 attack on the US embassy in Kabul. Pakistan,army chief Gen Parvez Kayani said Mullens remarks were not based on fact,adding that this was especially disturbing in view of a rather constructive meeting they had had in Spain recently.
