The Pakistani government protested today over a claim by the head of US intelligence, John Negroponte, that al-Qaida and Taliban leaders were hiding inside Pakistan. In written evidence to a Senate committee, Mr Negroponte, director of national intelligence, singled out Pakistan as the location of the jihadist leaders’ hideout, arguing that al-Qaida and the Taliban were rebuilding a network there. Mr Negroponte said Pakistan remained a “major source of Islamic extremism.” The comments drew an immediate response from Pakistan’s foreign ministry, which insisted the US spy chief should have mentioned the successes against al-Qaida made possible by Pakistani cooperation and suggested that the focus should “remain on cooperation instead of questionable criticism.” Full Story