Pakistan vows not to allow militants to plot attacks

By Zeeshan Haider

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan said on Wednesday it would neither allow Islamist militants to plot attacks on its soil nor let foreign troops take military action on its territory.

The declaration by leaders of Pakistan's three-and-a half-month old coalition came amid growing fears that the United States might take unilateral action against al Qaeda and Taliban sanctuaries in tribal areas on the Afghan border.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani called a meeting of his coalition partners to discuss deteriorating security in Pakistan as he prepares for his first official visit to the United States.

While stressing that the main thrust of the government's policy would be "political engagement of the people" to counter militancy, the coalition said it would not allow anyone to challenge its authority.

"Pakistan's national security and internal stability is paramount," the government said in a statement after the meeting.

"The coalition partners also reiterated that Pakistan's territory will not be used for terrorist attacks nor will attacks from external forces on Pakistan's sovereign soil be tolerated."

Washington backs Islamabad's strategy of using tribal elders to persuade militants to stop fighting, but worries that Taliban groups have used the breathing space provided by talks to intensify cross-border attacks on Western forces in Afghanistan.

A Pentagon report last month described militants' sanctuaries in Pakistan as the biggest threat to Afghan security.