Pak says won't give in to pressure on action against militants

LAHORE: Amid increased US pressure on Pakistan to take more steps to tackle terrorism, Pakistan has said it will not give in to any foreign dictation while deciding on a military operation against militants in its North Waziristan tribal region.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi made these remarks while talking to reporters at the airport in Lahore on Friday.

His remarks came a day after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Pakistan needed to do more against militants and warned it of "consequences" if any successful terror attack against America is traced back here.

Reports suggest that the US pressure on Pakistan has increased, especially in the wake of a botched car bomb attack in New York on May 1.

Faisal Shahzad, the Pakistani-American arrested for the attempted attack in New York's Times Square, was trained in bomb-making in Waziristan, according to a complaint filed by the FBI in a US court.

Qureshi also said Pakistan is engaged in dialogue with India to sort out the outstanding issues. "We did not indulge in any back-door diplomacy with India," he said.

Replying to a question about differences with India on sharing river waters, Qureshi said Pakistan raised the issue of decrease in water flows from India and the construction of dams over western rivers in Jammu and Kashmir at international fora.

The Indus Waters Treaty is the best forum to address bilateral water issues, he said.

In response to another question, Qureshi said the US had not accused Pakistan of providing support to militants.

He also said Pakistan is facing a severe energy crisis and wanted to get the matter resolved and was seeking assistance from the US and other developed countries.