Panetta: U.S. Patience in Pakistan Almost Out

Kabul - U.S. Defence Secretary, Leon Panetta, said the United States reached the final limit of his patience in Pakistan. One of the 'sin' in the eyes of the heaviest U.S. Pakistan is due to provide protection for the 'enemy' neighbor, Afghanistan.

Some observers have noted this is the most explicit language used to describe U.S. officials strained relations between Washington and Islamabad. "It is hard to achieve peace in Afghanistan as long as there is a safe haven for terrorists in Pakistan," he said.

Panetta arrived in Kabul on Thursday morning to conduct a series of talks with NATO military chiefs amid mounting violence in the war against the Taliban. NATO's latest attack that killed 18 civilians protested by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

"It's important for Pakistan to take some steps. We reached the end of our patience," he told reporters.

Panetta also urged Pakistan to act on Haqqani militant network, one of the most feared enemy of the United States in Afghanistan. He said Washington would use diplomatic pressure and take other steps necessary to protect its troops.

"We're reaching the limits of our patience for that reason. It is very important for Pakistan to take action to prevent providing a safe haven for Haqqanis, and for terrorists to use their country as a safety net to carry out attacks against our troops," he said.

Panetta arrived in Kabul after a visit to India, the old enemy Pakistan, where he urged New Delhi to take a more active role in Afghanistan.

NATO has signed agreements with three countries in northern Afghanistan for the withdrawal of troops overland from the country next year. Head of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said earlier this week signed an agreement with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Pakistan shut the route is shorter and less expensive over the territory last year to protest NATO air cross-border attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Discussions to reopen the route Pakistan have stalled.