WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama Thursday called Pakistan an 'effective partner in the war on terrorism, but voiced concern over its military and intelligence communitys ties to 'unsavoury characters. Responding to a question at his press conference, Obama said the United States and Pakistan were cooperating on a 'whole range of issues and that recent successes against Al-Qaeda-linked forces in the region would not have been possible without Pakistani help. But theres no doubt that were not going to feel comfortable with a long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan if we dont think that theyre mindful of our interests as well, Obama said, reflecting a hardening of rhetoric across the US government as officials voice frustration with Pakistan more openly following a September 10 attack on the US Embassy in Kabul. The presidents comments follow Admiral Mike Mullens claim that the Haqqani insurgent network acts as a veritable arm of ISI. While Obama did not endorse Mullens assertion, he did acknowledge that Pakistan engages with individuals the US finds troubling. But Obama says he is not inclined to cut off US aid to Pakistan because he has a great desire to help the Pakistani people. He said the United States remained committed to helping Pakistan confront its own problems. the President also acknowledged that Pakistan, fearful of traditional foe India and anxious to maintain its influence in Afghanistan as the United States draws down its forces, had been 'more ambivalent about some US goals in the region. I think that they have hedged their bets in terms of what Afghanistan would look like, and part of hedging their bets is having interactions with some of the unsavory characters who they think might end up regaining power in Afghanistan after coalition forces have left, Obama said. No doubt that there are some connections the Pakistani military and intelligence services have with certain individuals that we find troubling, he said. Agencies add: Obama said, What weve tried to persuade Pakistan is that it is in their interest to have a stable Afghanistan, that they should not be feeling threatened by a stable, independent Afghanistan, he added. But he acknowledged that there was still some work to be done. The US administration has stepped up calls on Islamabad in recent weeks to break ties with the Al-Qaeda linked Haqqani network, blamed for last months attack on the US embassy in Kabul. Islamabad has denied any links between the Haqqanis and its intelligence services. But Obama said Pakistan saw its security interest threatened by an independent Afghanistan, in part because they think it will ally itself to India and Pakistan still considers India their mortal enemy. Part of what we want to do is actually get Pakistan to realise that a peaceful approach towards India would be in everybodys interests. Obama highlighted some of the pressing problems that Pakistan is facing such as poverty, illiteracy, a lack of development and weak civil institutions. And in that environment, youve seen extremism grow, youve seen militancy that threatens the Pakistani government and Pakistani people as well. Trying to get that reorientation is something we continue to work on. It is not easy.