• Wion
  • /South Asia
  • /Watch: US defence secretary Mattis arrives in Pakistan, set to discuss Hafiz Saeed's release

Watch: US defence secretary Mattis arrives in Pakistan, set to discuss Hafiz Saeed's release

Watch: US defence secretary Mattis arrives in Pakistan, set to discuss Hafiz Saeed's release

Mattis in Pakistan

Story highlights

The US administration had last week condemned Pakistan for the release of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest.?

Defence Secretary Jim Mattis arrived in Pakistan today amid controversy surrounding the release of Jamaat(JuD) chief Hafiz Sayeed.

Talking to reporters on Sunday, Mattis said he did not plan to "prod Pakistan into action" because he expected Islamabad to "adhere to promises to combat terrorism".

Mattis landed at Pakistan Air Force base in Rawalpindi, bordering Islamabad.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

In October, replying to the US House Armed Services Committee Mattis had said his government would "try to work with Pakistan to address the problem of terrorism but if it fails then the US presidentwould be prepared to take whatever steps necessary".

The Trump administration had earlier notified the US Congress that it was giving $255 million to Pakistan in military assistance only if it cracked down on terror groups.

The US administration had last week condemned Pakistan for the release of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest.

Soon after his release, Saeed gave a speech in Lahore in which he resumed anti-India rhetoric and promised to mobilise people for the "cause of Kashmir".

Mattis is set to meet Pakistan PM Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa in Islamabad to discuss a range of issues including terrorism and Afganistan strategy.