US conveys concrete steps to Pakistan for eliminating terror networks

Donald Trump. Pic/AFP

The US has conveyed "specific and concrete" steps to Pakistan that it could take to eliminate terror networks on its soil without any distinction, a Pentagon official said yesterday. The Trump administration last week suspended nearly $2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan for its failure to take decisive action against terror groups the Taliban and the Haqqani Network.

"Our expectations are straightforward: Taliban and Haqqani leadership and attack planners should no longer be able to find safe haven or conduct operations from Pakistani soil," said Pentagon Press Secretary Army Col Rob Manning. He said the US had conveyed "specific and concrete steps" to Pakistan that it could take to eliminate terror networks on its soil.

"We stand ready to work together with Pakistan to combat terrorist groups without distinction," Manning said. He reiterated that the amount - $900 million in the Coalition Support Fund to Pakistan - has been suspended, not cancelled or reprogrammed. This amount is a part of the security assistance to Pakistan.

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