The United States has asked Pakistan to go all out against its infamous terrorist sanctuaries following the recent spurt in deadly attacks by the Pakistan-based Haqqani network in Afghanistan, resulting in several American casualties as well.
The blunt US message, conveyed by National Security Advisor Susan Rice during a visit to Islamabad, came against the backdrop of apparent dissatisfaction with Pakistan’s counter-terrorism measures that has prompted Washington to put on hold $300 million in military aid.
A White House statement said that Rice “urged Pakistan to intensify its efforts to counter terrorist sanctuaries inside its borders in order to promote regional peace and stability”. She held meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Advisor Sartaj Aziz and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif. Rice, according to a senior American official cited by The Wall Street Journal, told Pakistan’s top civilian and military leaders that the attacks by Pak-based militants in Afghanistan were “absolutely unacceptable” and that the US looks forward to “Pakistan working to reduce this threat”.
“Addressing this challenge will be imperative for Pakistan’s relations with its neighbours and with Washington, especially given the recent upsurge in violence in Kabul and the Taliban’s bloody campaign this fighting season in Afghanistan,” a senior US official was quoted by The New York Times as saying.
Referring to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s comments that the recent series of terror attacks in Kabul were carried out by terrorists based in Pakistan, the official said: “We share the concerns of the Afghan Government.”
At her meetings in Islamabad, Rice, however, commended Pakistan’s support for recent talks between the Afghan Government and the Taliban and underscored the US commitment to an Afghan-led peace process, said the official statement, put out by NSC spokesperson Ned Price.
It also cleared the air over Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s US visit, saying Rice extended him an invitation on behalf of President Barack Obama to visit the White House on October 22.