Pakistan will not bow to US pressure to step up its fight against militancy, its prime minister has said.
Yousuf Raza Gilani told a rare meeting of political and religious parties that relations between the two countries should be based on mutual respect.
Relations have hit new lows since the top US military officer said Pakistan backed the Haqqani militant group in Afghanistan, a charge Pakistan rejects.
Correspondents say many Pakistanis see the US comments as a threat of war. Washington wants Islamabad to sever links with the Haqqani group, which analysts say has roots deep inside Pakistani territory. US officials say they are close to deciding whether to label the group as a foreign terrorist organisation.
“Pakistan cannot be pressured to do more,” Mr Gilani told the meeting in Islamabad. More >>>
Location: Islamabad
