Expressing concern over the free movement that laskhar-e-Tayyeba chief Hafiz Saeed continues to enjoy in Pakistan, the United States has reiterated its position that Islamabad must “target and root out” all extremist groups operating from its soil.
“As we have said from this podium many times, we remain concerned about his (Saeed’s) activities,” State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau said, noting that besides being put on the US list of most wanted terrorists and carrying a reward of $10 million on his head, Saeed has also been designated by the UN Security Council.
Responding to a question about Saeed roaming freely in Pakistan and giving media interviews, Trudeau said Washington has been “very clear with the Government of Pakistan that they must target and root out these extremist groups, all militant groups and Taliban”.
The spokesperson rejected Saeed’s recent assertions that the US by not taking a position vis-à-vis the recent happenings in Kashmir Valley was giving India a free hand in dealing with the demonstrators. “We’re not going to respond to every statement like that. Obviously we disagree with his premise,” Trudeau said.
As for the current situation in Kashmir, she reiterated that the US would “encourage all sides to make efforts to finding a peaceful resolution”. She expressed the view that the situation on the ground remains fluid and very complex.
Apart from the Obama administration’s comment, Pakistan has been at the receiving end on Capitol Hill as well this week, with a House of Representatives’ subcommittee holding a hearing, titled: “Pakistan: Friend or Foe in the Fight against TerrorismIJ”
“While Pakistani officials and forces have assisted the US in hunting senior al Qaeda figures at times, Pakistan’s overall strategy is pro-jihadist and therefore puts it in the foe category,” said Bill Roggio of The long War Journal in his testimony before the committee.
“Pakistan myopically supports a host of terrorist groups in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India to further its goals in the region. Pakistan backs these groups despite the fact that they are allied with and aid the very terrorist groups that fight the Pakistani state. In addition, many of the jihadist groups sponsored by Pakistan are allied with al Qaeda,” Roggio commented.
As for leT, he noted that despite its campaign of terror in India and Afghanistan, the Pakistani government has refused to crack down on this group. “Its complexes in Muridke and throughout the country remain open, and its leaders operate unfettered. Hafiz Saeed is feted by Pakistani officials, who refuse to hold him and other leT leaders accountable for their actions.”
The same goes for Jaish-e-Mohammad, the other prominent anti-India terror outfit operating from Pakistan, Roggio said, pointing out how despite being implicated by India for its Pathankot Air Force base assault in January and interception of phone call of Pakistan-based handlers, the group has escaped any action by Islamabad.
Another witness, Tricia Bacon of the American University, expressed the view that the Pakistani security establishment’s nexus with the likes of leT and JeM was set to continue since the security apparatus judges these groups based on their utility vis-à-vis its dispute with India over Kashmir.