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US chides Pakistan, seeks 'real action' on Taliban, Haqqani terrorists

The United States has been at war in Afghanistan since 2001 and wants Pakistan to more in fighting extremism.

US chides Pakistan, seeks 'real action' on Taliban, Haqqani terrorists

WASHINGTON: The United States Administration of President Donald Trump has chided Pakistan for not taking significant steps to clamp down on the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network militant groups despite repeated warnings from the White House. 

A senior US administration official said that the White House is now seeking some ''real action'' from Pakistan on various terrorist outfits operating on its soil.

The administration had suspended about USD 2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan in January but Islamabad has failed to take "the kind of decisive and irreversible action" Washington has asked for to help with the war in Afghanistan, the official said.

The administration has been frustrated by what it sees as Pakistan's reluctance to act against the Afghan Taliban and the affiliated Haqqani network. 

Washington believes the groups use Pakistan as a safe haven for launching attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan. 

Pakistan, however, denies helping the militants.

The United States has been at war in Afghanistan since 2001, making it America's longest military conflict. President Donald Trump agreed in August to a stepped-up military campaign against the Taliban and has since increased pressure on Pakistan to help.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday said he has seen some positive signs from Islamabad, including Pakistani military operations along the border - and the senior administration official agreed.

"I think the Pakistanis have wanted to appear responsive to our requests," the senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"What I would say is, they have done the bare minimum to appear responsive to our requests," the official said, saying more proactive steps were needed.

The US officials have told their Pakistani counterparts what types of actions are needed to lift the suspension of aid, the official said, declining to elaborate on the specifics.

"We are prepared to take steps that we think are necessary to safeguard US personnel and interests in the region," the official said, declining comment on what those steps would be, and on deadlines for action.
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We are continuing to look for real action, not just words, from Pakistan on the Taliban and Haqqani sanctuaries," the official said.

(With Reuters inputs)