Several US lawmakers have questioned Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's ability to control the country with one of them comparing the country to a man whose pants are on fire but who does not realise the danger.

When one's pants are on fire one has to do two things to survive, said Democrat Gary Ackerman as a House panel on Tuesday questioned Richard Holbrooke, US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan on America 's strategy for the troubled ally.