Pakistani Ambassador downplays attacks on U.S. and NATO troops

Pakistan's Ambassador to the U.S., Husain Haqqani, fiercely defended his country's commitment to the war on terror Sunday on CNN's State of the Union, and downplayed recent attempts by Pakistani militants to sabotage U.S. and NATO troops.

"I do not expect this blockade to continue for too long," Haqqani told host Candy Crowley. He later added that he expected the situation -- in which Pakistani militants are attempting to cut off supplies to U.S. and NATO troops-- will end in the "next few days."

Haqqani also told Crowley that he doesn't intend to "insult" her profession, but the "24 hour news cycle" is to blame for blowing the situation out of proportion. Haqqani said 70 percent of supplies for troops still move through Pakistan along several other routes.

On Friday, Pakistani militants set fire to supply vehicles, one day after Pakistan's army shut down a major border crossing with Afghanistan-- a vital supply route for NATO forces. The actions by militants are apparent retaliation for a NATO airstrike that inadvertently killed three Pakistani frontiersmen.

The incidents have further strained relations between the U.S. and Pakistan.

Some U.S. and European officials have in the past criticized Pakistan for not doing more to weed out terrorists. On Sunday, Haqqani suggested that if Pakistan has not targeted terrorists in some cases, it may be simply a problem of landscape.

"I don't think it is a question of being unwilling or unable… it's a question of degree of geography," Haqqani said. He noted that even drones cannot identify everyone in Waziristan because of the area's rugged mountain terrain. He reiterated that Pakistan is committed to the war on terror and said Pakistan has "lost more soldiers and officers than any other country fighting terrorism."

And as for what the U.S. and Europe think of Pakistan?

"We can't always follow a timeline that our allies set for us," Haqqani said.

(Photo of Haqqani: AP/Gerald Herbert)