Reports: Pakistan Army Chief's Job Under Threat

General Ashfaq Kayani

U.S. media reports say Pakistan's army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, is fighting to keep his job amid growing pressure from within the military to reduce ties with the United States.

"The New York Times" and "The Washington Post" reported that top generals and officers are angry at what they perceive as Kayani's close relationship with Washington in the wake of last month's U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

The United States kept the raid secret, which left Pakistan's military and intelligence frustrated and humiliated after the operation, which also invited allegations of incompetence and complicity.

An unnamed U.S. official was quoted as saying Kayani is "fighting to survive."

The U.S.-Pakistan security relationship has sunk to its lowest point since the September 11, 2001, attacks, threatening counterterrorism programs.

Pakistan has also pressured Washington to end its covert campaign of drone strikes in the country's lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

compiled from agency reports