Islamabad: Pakistan on January 25 rejected as "politically motivated" demands by radical Islamic parties to expel US Ambassador Nancy Powell for her remark that the country had become a "platform for terrorism" and it must stop militants from crossing into Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Pakistan government will not ask the US Ambassador to leave the country although she has made some wrong statements," Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said.

"The statements by Islamic parties to expel her were being made to appease their anti-American followers and therefore was politically motivated," he said adding, "Powell had a right to say whatever she wants."

The demand for Powell's expulsion was made by Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, secretary general of a pro-Taleban Islamic group, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam.

"American Ambassador has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of Pakistan, and she must be asked by the Pakistan government to leave, Haideri had said.

Leader of the militant Hezb-ul-Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin described Powell's remark as "partisan and unrealistic".

Terming the militants as "freedom fighters", he said they would never give up their right to cross into India and fight Indian forces.

Even as Powell's statements kicked up a storm, the foreign office on January 24 evening summoned Powell to inform that her statements were "inappropriate and highly damaging to Pakistan".

PTI