WASHINGTON, Oct 29: The US State Department on Monday rejected the suggestion that Pakistan was heading towards a civil war, adding that the country was fighting terrorists and the United States supported its effort.

The comments followed an intense campaign in the US media, labelling Pakistan as “the most dangerous place” on earth, which is about to explode and give away its nuclear weapons to terrorists to use them wherever they want. Some media reports, and at least one US lawmaker, even urged the US government to “secure” Pakistan’s nuclear weapons before the country disintegrated.

“I don’t think I would describe the situation in Pakistan quite as you did,” said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack when asked at a regular briefing if the United States was concerned that Pakistan was falling apart.

“Pakistan is undergoing a political transition,” said the spokesman, noting that there had been a number of “positive developments” in the country as well. These included “moderate forces within the Pakistani political system working together for a moderate Pakistan”, he added.

The spokesman rejected the suggestion that the United States was “picking candidates or political parties” as favourites.