After ten years of alliance against what is described as terrorism, U.S-Pakistani relations have become unprecedentedly tense, following US allegations of Pakistani collaboration with Sirajuddin Haqqani’s network, as US military Chief Admiral, Michael Mullen, had branded Haqqani's network as a "veritable arm" of ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence, i.e. Pakistan's premier intelligence agency).
The White House and some U.S. Congress members demanded that Pakistan “break any link they have” with the Haqqani network, designate it as a terrorist organization, and move forces against its bases in the region of North Waziristan in order to prevent militants from attacking international forces in Afghanistan.
Pakistan, however, rejected all these demands and responded directly by reinforcing the internal front and holding a conference for all Pakistani parties under the auspices of the Prime Minister. Perhaps, this is the positive side of the crisis for Pakistanis as they agree – for the first time – on something amongst themselves, namely responding to U.S. policy towards Pakistan.