Islamabad, June 10 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, while playing down the recent harsh comments by the U.S. Defense Secretary, has said the same were made due to "political reasons".
"I think sometimes politicians speak for political reasons. It is an election year in the US. Most of the comments coming from the U.S. are based on their internal political condition," the Daily Times quoted Zardari, as saying.
The remarks come as U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said in Kabul that Washington is "reaching the limits of patience" with Pakistan on the issue of terrorist safe havens on the Pakistani side of the border.
Earlier, Panetta said in New Delhi that the U.S. would continue to battle terrorists in Pakistan's tribal regions despite complaints from Islamabad that the drone strikes violate its sovereignty and create a sense of anti-Americanism.
Analysts say Panetta's statement shows the mistrust between the two close allies in their war on terror.
However, Zardari expressed confidence over the country's relationship with the United States despite recent complaints from Washington.
"I think the U.S. is an important country in the world and so is Pakistan. We have mutual interests. Slowly but surely, we will get back to normal relations," Zardari said.
"Nobody understands the effects of the war on Pakistan. We have lost 40,000 people and economic growth from terrorist attacks and activities," Zardari said.
"We are victims of terror. It seems like Pakistan is abetting terrorists, but it is the wrong perception," he added. (ANI)
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