CIA chief in Pakistan for post-raid talks

CIA Director Leon Panetta has been nominated by U.S. President Barack Obama to be the next defense secretary.Panetta meets with Pakistan's top army commander to discuss "future intelligence sharing"Panetta is making his first trip to Pakistan since U.S. commandos killed Osama bin Laden The trip is to "reiterate U.S. commitment to cooperation with them," an official saysPanetta has said the U.S. relationship with Pakistan is "difficult" but "critical"

Washington (CNN) -- CIA Director Leon Panetta is reaffirming America's commitment to Pakistan during his first trip to the country since Osama bin Laden was killed in a Navy SEAL raid last month, a U.S. official said.

Panetta planned to "reiterate U.S. commitment to cooperation with them (Pakistan) against al Qaeda," said a U.S. official, who is not authorized to speak to the media on the record.

The relationship between the two countries has been in a downward spiral over disputes about how to pursue counter-terrorism efforts.

U.S. officials believe Pakistan is not doing enough to go after al Qaeda and other extremists, while the Pakistanis are upset with what they consider to be unilateral steps taken by the United States within their borders.

The U.S. did not give advance notice to Pakistani officials about the raid on the terror leader's compound in Abbottabad near Islamabad last month.

Panetta, who has been nominated by President Barack Obama to be the next defense secretary, said at his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday that the U.S. relationship with Pakistan is "difficult" but "critical."

While Pakistan has proven to be a safe haven for extremists, a positive relationship with authorities in Islamabad is vital to the mission in Afghanistan, he said.

Panetta, who arrived Friday in Pakistan, met with Pakistan's top army commander, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, according to Pakistani security forces.

"Both sides discussed the framework for future intelligence sharing," Inter Services Public Relations, the military's official media office said in a statement Friday.

Panetta's trip comes on the heels of visits by other top U.S. officials to the country, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

At the time of her visit two weeks ago, Clinton described her talks in Islamabad as "very extensive, open, frank and constructive."

Clinton said Pakistan has a responsibility to prevent insurgents from waging war in Afghanistan from its territory, but she also extended an olive branch, saying the United States will stand by the Pakistani people "for the long haul."

CNN's Eve Bower contributed to this report.

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