The US has suspended <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/pakistan-knew-bin-laden-was-there-but-didnt-do-a-damn-thing-says-donald-trump-178108">$1.66 billion in security assistance to</a> Pakistan after President Donald Trump's directive, the Pentagon has said, in what experts believe is a strong signal of American frustration.

The Pentagon's statement came days<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-lost-70000-lives-in-americas-war-on-terror-imran-khan-28324"> after President Trump said </a>that Pakistan does not do "a damn thing" for the US, alleging that its government had helped al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden hide near its garrison city of Abbottabad.

"$1.66 billion of security assistance to Pakistan is suspended," Col Rob Manning, spokesman of the Department of Defence, said.

No further breakdown of the suspended security assistance to Pakistan was provided.

According to David Sedney, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary Defence for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia during the previous Obama administration, the blocking of military assistance to Pakistan, which began in January this year, is a strong signal of American frustration.

"But, so far Pakistan has taken no serious steps to address the core US concern - that Pakistan tolerates and often encourages groups which use violence against Pakistan's neighbours," Sedney said.

"Pakistan's leaders have promised cooperation, but beyond words, serious cooperation has not happened, therefore President Trump is frustrated and so are most Americans," he said in response to a question.

"This frustration does not ignore the suffering that Pakistani people have undergone. It just asks Pakistan to recognise that it should act to help stop the suffering of others," said the Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank.

Previously, Sedney was at the Department of State and the National Security Council, as well as Acting President of American University of Afghanistan. He was part of the Pentagon when Laden was killed in a raid by US commandoes in Pakistan's Abbottabad.

Over the last few days, Trump has said that people in Pakistan knew about the presence of Laden.

"I agree with the views of Carlotta Gall of the New York Times who reported in her book 'The Wrong Enemy' that a very small group of very senior Pakistani military leaders knew about Laden's presence in Pakistan. I have not seen any evidence that his presence in Abbottabad was widely known by many in Pakistan," Sedney said in an interview.

While Pakistan has suffered terribly from terrorism by Islamic extremists, Islamabad has also enabled extremist groups that attack its neighbours, he observed.

After years of dithering, in recent years, Pakistan's security forces have moved strongly against the extremists that threaten the Pakistani state, Sedney said.

"What the US seeks, what President Trump is asking for, is for Pakistan to take the same kind of measures against the Taliban, Lashkhar-e-Taiba and against all groups in Pakistan that threaten Pakistan's neighbours," he said.

"But, we still see the Taliban moving weapons, fighters and money through Pakistan. We still see Taliban commanders taking refuge in Pakistan, keeping their families in Pakistan, holding meetings and conducting training in Pakistan and shipping explosives from Pakistan into Afghanistan," Sedney alleged, adding that leaders of sanctioned organisations acting freely in Pakistan and speaking publicly in favour of violence.

If Pakistan took some strong measures against the Taliban, peace would come to Afghanistan quickly, he said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has roped in former top American diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad for peace talks with the Taliban. Both Afghanistan and Pakistan would benefit from a huge "peace dividend", he asserted.

"Similarly, if Pakistan took strong measures against groups which act against India, Pakistan would harvest huge economic benefits from better economic ties with India," Sedney added.

Ties between the US and Pakistan strained after Trump, while announcing his Afghanistan and South Asia policy in August last year, hit out at Pakistan for providing safe havens to "agents of chaos" that kill Americans in Afghanistan and warned Islamabad that it has "much to lose" by harbouring terrorists.

In September, the Trump administration cancelled $300 million in military aid to Islamabad for not doing enough against terror groups like the Haqqani Network and the Taliban active on its soil.&nbsp;

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w3tcCSLH9j0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The US has suspended $1.66 billion in security assistance to Pakistan after President Donald Trump's directive, the Pentagon has said, in what experts believe is a strong signal of American frustration.

The US has suspended $1.66 billion in security assistance to Pakistan after President Donald Trump's directive, the Pentagon has said, in what experts believe is a strong signal of American frustration. The Pentagon's statement came days after President Trump said that Pakistan does not do "a damn thing" for the US, alleging that its government had helped al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden hide near its garrison city of Abbottabad. "$1.66 billion of security assistance to Pakistan is suspended," Col Rob Manning, spokesman of the Department of Defence, said. No further breakdown of the suspended security assistance to Pakistan was provided. According to David Sedney, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary Defence for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia during the previous Obama administration, the blocking of military assistance to Pakistan, which began in January this year, is a strong signal of American frustration. "But, so far Pakistan has taken no serious steps to address the core US concern - that Pakistan tolerates and often encourages groups which use violence against Pakistan's neighbours," Sedney said. "Pakistan's leaders have promised cooperation, but beyond words, serious cooperation has not happened, therefore President Trump is frustrated and so are most Americans," he said in response to a question. "This frustration does not ignore the suffering that Pakistani people have undergone. It just asks Pakistan to recognise that it should act to help stop the suffering of others," said the Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank. Previously, Sedney was at the Department of State and the National Security Council, as well as Acting President of American University of Afghanistan. He was part of the Pentagon when Laden was killed in a raid by US commandoes in Pakistan's Abbottabad. Over the last few days, Trump has said that people in Pakistan knew about the presence of Laden. "I agree with the views of Carlotta Gall of the New York Times who reported in her book 'The Wrong Enemy' that a very small group of very senior Pakistani military leaders knew about Laden's presence in Pakistan. I have not seen any evidence that his presence in Abbottabad was widely known by many in Pakistan," Sedney said in an interview. While Pakistan has suffered terribly from terrorism by Islamic extremists, Islamabad has also enabled extremist groups that attack its neighbours, he observed. After years of dithering, in recent years, Pakistan's security forces have moved strongly against the extremists that threaten the Pakistani state, Sedney said. "What the US seeks, what President Trump is asking for, is for Pakistan to take the same kind of measures against the Taliban, Lashkhar-e-Taiba and against all groups in Pakistan that threaten Pakistan's neighbours," he said. "But, we still see the Taliban moving weapons, fighters and money through Pakistan. We still see Taliban commanders taking refuge in Pakistan, keeping their families in Pakistan, holding meetings and conducting training in Pakistan and shipping explosives from Pakistan into Afghanistan," Sedney alleged, adding that leaders of sanctioned organisations acting freely in Pakistan and speaking publicly in favour of violence. If Pakistan took some strong measures against the Taliban, peace would come to Afghanistan quickly, he said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has roped in former top American diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad for peace talks with the Taliban. Both Afghanistan and Pakistan would benefit from a huge "peace dividend", he asserted. "Similarly, if Pakistan took strong measures against groups which act against India, Pakistan would harvest huge economic benefits from better economic ties with India," Sedney added. Ties between the US and Pakistan strained after Trump, while announcing his Afghanistan and South Asia policy in August last year, hit out at Pakistan for providing safe havens to "agents of chaos" that kill Americans in Afghanistan and warned Islamabad that it has "much to lose" by harbouring terrorists. In September, the Trump administration cancelled $300 million in military aid to Islamabad for not doing enough against terror groups like the Haqqani Network and the Taliban active on its soil.

$1.66 billion security assistance to Pakistan suspended: US

President Trump repeated his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/voice-of-karachi-chairman-lauds-trumps-comments-about-pakistans-role-in-promoting-terrorism-178160">Pakistan tirade in a Twitter</a> blast asserting that the US should have got the al-Qaida chief earlier.

On Monday, the president had told a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/pakistan-knew-bin-laden-was-there-but-didnt-do-a-damn-thing-says-donald-trump-178108"> television channel that the US </a>had given $1.3 billion a year to Pakistan but they didn't do " a damn thing" for the United States.

Trump said he has ended the yearly aid to Pakistan. Trump's latest potshot wasn't taken well by Pakistan PM Imran Khan who said that "no Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror."

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Of course we should have captured Osama Bin Laden long before we did. I pointed him out in my book just BEFORE the attack on the World Trade Center. President Clinton famously missed his shot. We paid Pakistan Billions of Dollars &amp; they never told us he was living there. Fools!..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1064540462848098304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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PM Imran Khan said that "Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties" by participating in US war against terror, "over $123 billion was lost to the economy. US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion."&nbsp;

In his latest tweet, Trump once again took a swipe at Pakistan saying: "we no longer pay Pakistan the $Billions because they would take our money and do nothing for us, Bin Laden being a prime example."

"Of course we should have captured Osama Bin Laden long before we did."

"We paid Pakistan billions of Dollars &amp; they never told us he was living there. Fools!" he said.

"Afghanistan being another. They were just one of many countries that take from the United States without giving anything in return. That’s ENDING!," he added.

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....We no longer pay Pakistan the $Billions because they would take our money and do nothing for us, Bin Laden being a prime example, Afghanistan being another. They were just one of many countries that take from the United States without giving anything in return. That’s ENDING!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1064544156960387072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan's Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari reacting to President Trump's comments on Monday had said that US president "suffers conveniently from perpetual historic amnesia!"

In August, the US had decided to cut financial aid to Pakistan from $1 billion to $150 million after passing the Defence Authorisation bill which stated that the US government could reduce aid to Pakistan if it took no action agains the Haqqani Network or the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).&nbsp;

In a January 1 tweet, the US president had said earlier in the year that Pakistan has given the US nothing but "lies &amp; deceit" while giving safe haven to terrorists in &nbsp;Afghanistan.

"The loss of Pak lives in US 'war on terror'; the free space for Raymond Davis &amp; other operatives. The illegal killings by drone attacks, the list is endless but once again history shows appeasement does not work. Also, whether China or Iran, US policies of containment and isolation do not coincide with Pak strategic interests," the Pakistan human rights minister said. 
&nbsp;

President Trump repeated his Pakistan tirade in a Twitter blast asserting that the US should have got the al-Qaida chief earlier. On Monday, the president had told a television channel that the US had given $1.

President Trump repeated his Pakistan tirade in a Twitter blast asserting that the US should have got the al-Qaida chief earlier. On Monday, the president had told a television channel that the US had given $1.3 billion a year to Pakistan but they didn't do " a damn thing" for the United States. Trump said he has ended the yearly aid to Pakistan. Trump's latest potshot wasn't taken well by Pakistan PM Imran Khan who said that "no Pakistani was involved in 9/11 but Pak decided to participate in US war on terror." Of course we should have captured Osama Bin Laden long before we did. I pointed him out in my book just BEFORE the attack on the World Trade Center. President Clinton famously missed his shot. We paid Pakistan Billions of Dollars & they never told us he was living there. Fools!.. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2018 × PM Imran Khan said that "Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties" by participating in US war against terror, "over $123 billion was lost to the economy. US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion." In his latest tweet, Trump once again took a swipe at Pakistan saying: "we no longer pay Pakistan the $Billions because they would take our money and do nothing for us, Bin Laden being a prime example." "Of course we should have captured Osama Bin Laden long before we did." "We paid Pakistan billions of Dollars & they never told us he was living there. Fools!" he said. "Afghanistan being another. They were just one of many countries that take from the United States without giving anything in return. That’s ENDING!," he added. ....We no longer pay Pakistan the $Billions because they would take our money and do nothing for us, Bin Laden being a prime example, Afghanistan being another. They were just one of many countries that take from the United States without giving anything in return. That’s ENDING! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2018 × Pakistan's Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari reacting to President Trump's comments on Monday had said that US president "suffers conveniently from perpetual historic amnesia!" In August, the US had decided to cut financial aid to Pakistan from $1 billion to $150 million after passing the Defence Authorisation bill which stated that the US government could reduce aid to Pakistan if it took no action agains the Haqqani Network or the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). In a January 1 tweet, the US president had said earlier in the year that Pakistan has given the US nothing but "lies & deceit" while giving safe haven to terrorists in Afghanistan. "The loss of Pak lives in US 'war on terror'; the free space for Raymond Davis & other operatives. The illegal killings by drone attacks, the list is endless but once again history shows appeasement does not work. Also, whether China or Iran, US policies of containment and isolation do not coincide with Pak strategic interests," the Pakistan human rights minister said.

'We no longer pay Pak because they take our money and do nothing for us,' repeats Trump

The Pakistan government today <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-no-longer-pay-pak-because-they-take-our-money-and-do-nothing-for-us-repeats-trump-178337">summoned the US Charge de’ Affairs </a>ambassador Paul Jones to register protest against President Trump's recent comment&nbsp;alleging al-Qaida chief Bin Laden lived a comfortable life in Pakistan before he was killed by US forces in 2011.

The Pakistan government<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-remains-a-critical-partner-to-us-south-asia-strategy-pentagon-178292"> said the accusation made by </a>President Trump was baseless rhetoric which was totally unacceptable.&nbsp;

Rejecting the insinuations about Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan foreign secretary told ambassador Paul Jones that it was Pakistan’s intelligence cooperation that provided the initial evidence to trace the whereabouts of the al-Qaida chief.

The Pakistan foreign&nbsp;secretary&nbsp;Tehmina Janjua told the US Charge de’ Affairs that no other country had paid a heavier price than Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.

President Trump in a US television programme had said that the US had given $1.3 billion a year to Pakistan but they didn't do "a damn thing" for the United States. The US president repeated his comments in a Twitter tirade asserting that "we paid Pakistan billions of dollars &amp; they never told us he was living there. Fools!"

"Of course we should have captured Osama Bin Laden long before we did," the US president added in his tweet.

The US currently does not have an ambassador&nbsp;in Pakistan, the previous ambassador David Hales’s tenure had ended and the US foreign affairs committee had delayed naming an ambassador to Pakistan, therefore the Charge de’ Affairs Paul Jones is currently in charge.

The US must not forget that scores of top al-Qaida leaders were killed or captured by active Pakistani cooperation, the foreign secretary told the US Charge de’ Affairs, adding that Pakistan’s continued support to the efforts of international community in Afghanistan through Ground, air and sea lines of communication was "unquestionably critical" to the success of the mission in Afghanistan.

"In the wake of recent US pronouncements to seek a political settlement in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US have been working in close coordination with other regional stakeholders in order to end the prolonged conflict. At this critical juncture, baseless allegations about a closed chapter of history could seriously undermine this vital cooperation," the Pakistan foreign secretary said.

After President Trump lashed out at Pakistan, PM Imran Khan had retorted saying that "Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties" by participating in US war against terror, "over $123 billion was lost to the economy and the US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion." 
&nbsp;

The Pakistan government today summoned the US Charge de’ Affairs ambassador Paul Jones to register protest against President Trump's recent comment alleging al-Qaida chief Bin Laden lived a comfortable life in Pakistan before he was killed by US forces in 2011.

The Pakistan government today summoned the US Charge de’ Affairs ambassador Paul Jones to register protest against President Trump's recent comment alleging al-Qaida chief Bin Laden lived a comfortable life in Pakistan before he was killed by US forces in 2011. The Pakistan government said the accusation made by President Trump was baseless rhetoric which was totally unacceptable. Rejecting the insinuations about Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan foreign secretary told ambassador Paul Jones that it was Pakistan’s intelligence cooperation that provided the initial evidence to trace the whereabouts of the al-Qaida chief. The Pakistan foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua told the US Charge de’ Affairs that no other country had paid a heavier price than Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. President Trump in a US television programme had said that the US had given $1.3 billion a year to Pakistan but they didn't do "a damn thing" for the United States. The US president repeated his comments in a Twitter tirade asserting that "we paid Pakistan billions of dollars & they never told us he was living there. Fools!" "Of course we should have captured Osama Bin Laden long before we did," the US president added in his tweet. The US currently does not have an ambassador in Pakistan, the previous ambassador David Hales’s tenure had ended and the US foreign affairs committee had delayed naming an ambassador to Pakistan, therefore the Charge de’ Affairs Paul Jones is currently in charge. The US must not forget that scores of top al-Qaida leaders were killed or captured by active Pakistani cooperation, the foreign secretary told the US Charge de’ Affairs, adding that Pakistan’s continued support to the efforts of international community in Afghanistan through Ground, air and sea lines of communication was "unquestionably critical" to the success of the mission in Afghanistan. "In the wake of recent US pronouncements to seek a political settlement in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US have been working in close coordination with other regional stakeholders in order to end the prolonged conflict. At this critical juncture, baseless allegations about a closed chapter of history could seriously undermine this vital cooperation," the Pakistan foreign secretary said. After President Trump lashed out at Pakistan, PM Imran Khan had retorted saying that "Pakistan suffered 75,000 casualties" by participating in US war against terror, "over $123 billion was lost to the economy and the US "aid" was a minuscule $20 billion."

Pakistan summons US ambassador over Trump's Osama bin Laden comment

President Donald Trump on Sunday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-meets-abu-dhabi-crown-prince-amid-reports-of-uae-package-178070">defended his administration's decision</a> to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan, saying the country does not do "a damn thing" for the US and its government had helped al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden hide near its garrison city.

Referring to Laden and his former <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/bin-laden-raid-commander-to-trump-revoke-my-security-clearance-too-159688">compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan</a>, Trump in an interview to Fox News said, "You know, living ? think of this ? living in Pakistan, beautifully in Pakistan in what I guess they considered a nice mansion, I don't know, I've seen nicer."

The compound was demolished shortly after US Naval Special Warfare Development Group forces, in a daring helicopter raid, killed Laden there in 2011.

"But living in Pakistan right next to the military academy, everybody in Pakistan knew he was there," he added.

"And we give Pakistan $1.3 billion a year. ... (Laden] lived in Pakistan, we're supporting Pakistan, we're giving them $1.3 billion a year - which we don't give them anymore, by the way, I ended it because they don't do anything for us, they don't do a damn thing for us," he said.

The ties between the two countries strained after Trump, while announcing his Afghanistan and South Asia policy in August last year, hit out at Pakistan for providing safe havens to "agents of chaos" that kill Americans in Afghanistan and warned Islamabad that it has "much to lose" by harbouring terrorists.

In September, the Trump administration cancelled $300 million in military aid to Islamabad for not doing enough against terror groups active on its soil.

Trump also said that he has plans to visit Iraq and Afghanistan to meet American troops stationed there.

"Well, I think you will see that happen. There are things that are being planned. We don't want to talk about it because of - obviously because of security reasons and everything else," he said.

Trump has been criticised by his political opponents for not visiting either Afghanistan or Iraq in the first two years of his presidency.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his administration's decision to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan, saying the country does not do "a damn thing" for the US and its government had helped al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden hide near its garrison city.

President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his administration's decision to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid to Pakistan, saying the country does not do "a damn thing" for the US and its government had helped al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden hide near its garrison city. Referring to Laden and his former compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, Trump in an interview to Fox News said, "You know, living ? think of this ? living in Pakistan, beautifully in Pakistan in what I guess they considered a nice mansion, I don't know, I've seen nicer." The compound was demolished shortly after US Naval Special Warfare Development Group forces, in a daring helicopter raid, killed Laden there in 2011. "But living in Pakistan right next to the military academy, everybody in Pakistan knew he was there," he added. "And we give Pakistan $1.3 billion a year. ... (Laden] lived in Pakistan, we're supporting Pakistan, we're giving them $1.3 billion a year - which we don't give them anymore, by the way, I ended it because they don't do anything for us, they don't do a damn thing for us," he said. The ties between the two countries strained after Trump, while announcing his Afghanistan and South Asia policy in August last year, hit out at Pakistan for providing safe havens to "agents of chaos" that kill Americans in Afghanistan and warned Islamabad that it has "much to lose" by harbouring terrorists. In September, the Trump administration cancelled $300 million in military aid to Islamabad for not doing enough against terror groups active on its soil. Trump also said that he has plans to visit Iraq and Afghanistan to meet American troops stationed there. "Well, I think you will see that happen. There are things that are being planned. We don't want to talk about it because of - obviously because of security reasons and everything else," he said. Trump has been criticised by his political opponents for not visiting either Afghanistan or Iraq in the first two years of his presidency.

Everybody in Pakistan knew Bin Laden was there, and we gave them $1.3 billion a year: Trump

The United States<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-seeks-real-action-from-pakistan-on-taliban-haqqani-network-36116"> has ruled out the possibility of </a>&quot;hot pursuit&quot; to pursue the Taliban into Pakistan.

Lt Col Mike Andrews, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-drone-strike-kills-taliban-deputy-commander-3-haqqani-network-militants-32314">spokesman for the Department of </a>Defence said &quot;US military forces will remain within the borders of Afghanistan only.&quot;

The Pentagon official said US&nbsp;forces do not have the &quot;authority&quot;&nbsp;to cross over to Pakistan from the Afghan border.

&quot;To be clear, US military authorities are within the borders of Afghanistan only. We have no authority to go into Pakistan. If there is a way to get that authority, but that would certainly be the exception and not the norm and would not be,&quot; Lt Col Mike Andrews said.

Pakistan is under increasing pressure by the US to track down and eliminate the Taliban militants in its territory including the Haqqani Network, a strategy laid down by President Trump.

&quot;Say, for example, we have troops in contact and then the Taliban militants go across the border. They are clearly inside Pakistan then. There&#39;s no change with regards to respecting the territorial sovereignty of Pakistan,&quot; Andrews declared.

&quot;If the Taliban reside in Pakistan and we are able to provide safety and support and to help secure districts and provinces within the borders of Afghanistan, I think that that is a tradeoff that we&#39;re willing to make,&quot; Andrews said, adding, &quot;Because it&#39;s not necessarily about these people over in Pakistan, its about the Afghan people.&quot;

 
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&nbsp;

Lt Col Mike Andrews, spokesman for the Department of Defence said "US military forces will remain within the borders of Afghanistan only."

The United States has ruled out the possibility of "hot pursuit" to pursue the Taliban into Pakistan. Lt Col Mike Andrews, spokesman for the Department of Defence said "US military forces will remain within the borders of Afghanistan only." The Pentagon official said US forces do not have the "authority" to cross over to Pakistan from the Afghan border. "To be clear, US military authorities are within the borders of Afghanistan only. We have no authority to go into Pakistan. If there is a way to get that authority, but that would certainly be the exception and not the norm and would not be," Lt Col Mike Andrews said. Pakistan is under increasing pressure by the US to track down and eliminate the Taliban militants in its territory including the Haqqani Network, a strategy laid down by President Trump. "Say, for example, we have troops in contact and then the Taliban militants go across the border. They are clearly inside Pakistan then. There's no change with regards to respecting the territorial sovereignty of Pakistan," Andrews declared. "If the Taliban reside in Pakistan and we are able to provide safety and support and to help secure districts and provinces within the borders of Afghanistan, I think that that is a tradeoff that we're willing to make," Andrews said, adding, "Because it's not necessarily about these people over in Pakistan, its about the Afghan people."

US military won't cross border from Afghanistan into Pak to pursue Taliban: Pentagon

The United States has reportedly <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-raise-use-of-anti-tank-guided-missiles-by-pakistan-with-us-32424">put forward a motion to place</a> Pakistan on a global terrorist financing watchlist at the Financial Action Task Force &nbsp;(FATF) meeting due to take place in Paris next week, newswire Reuters reported.

FATF <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-moves-bill-to-end-non-defence-aid-to-pakistan-32055">is an international inter-governmental body</a> tasked with countering money laundering and terrorist financing.

The US move was&nbsp;confirmed by senior Pakistani officials, Reuters said.

Pakistan was on the FATF watchlist from 2012 to 2015. Experts feel inclusion of Pakistan on the list would hit hits economy as investors would pull away from the country and it would make it tough for Islamabad to borrow money which is likely to put additional pressure on the government.

FATF had earlier warned Pakistan it would put it back on the watchlist even as several US officials including President Trump openly declared the country wasn&#39;t doing enough to stop terrorist activity on its soil.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said: &quot;the US has consistently expressed our long-standing concern about ongoing deficiencies in Pakistan&rsquo;s implementation of its anti-money laundering/counterterrorism finance regime.&quot;

&quot;In addition to broader systemic concerns, this also includes Pakistan&rsquo;s non-compliance with its commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 1267,&quot; &nbsp;Nauert added.

Reuters quoted a spokesperson at the US embassy in Islamabad saying that the United States was &quot;absolutely not&quot; acting on behalf of India.

Meanwhile, US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said Pakistan&#39;s military is holding back counter-terrorism cooperation with the United States while continuing to go easy on militant groups inside its territory.

&quot;Pakistan-based militant groups continue to take advantage of their safe haven to conduct attacks in India, in Afghanistan, and including US interests therein,&quot; Coats said.

Coats added that the US had announced terror designations in recent weeks on eight members of the Taliban, the Haqqani Network and other groups, aiming to boost pressure on the militants&#39; abilities to operate.

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&nbsp;

FATF is an international inter-governmental body tasked with countering money laundering and terrorist financing.

The United States has reportedly put forward a motion to place Pakistan on a global terrorist financing watchlist at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting due to take place in Paris next week, newswire Reuters reported. FATF is an international inter-governmental body tasked with countering money laundering and terrorist financing. The US move was confirmed by senior Pakistani officials, Reuters said. Pakistan was on the FATF watchlist from 2012 to 2015. Experts feel inclusion of Pakistan on the list would hit hits economy as investors would pull away from the country and it would make it tough for Islamabad to borrow money which is likely to put additional pressure on the government. FATF had earlier warned Pakistan it would put it back on the watchlist even as several US officials including President Trump openly declared the country wasn't doing enough to stop terrorist activity on its soil. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said: "the US has consistently expressed our long-standing concern about ongoing deficiencies in Pakistan’s implementation of its anti-money laundering/counterterrorism finance regime." "In addition to broader systemic concerns, this also includes Pakistan’s non-compliance with its commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 1267," Nauert added. Reuters quoted a spokesperson at the US embassy in Islamabad saying that the United States was "absolutely not" acting on behalf of India. Meanwhile, US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said Pakistan's military is holding back counter-terrorism cooperation with the United States while continuing to go easy on militant groups inside its territory. "Pakistan-based militant groups continue to take advantage of their safe haven to conduct attacks in India, in Afghanistan, and including US interests therein," Coats said. Coats added that the US had announced terror designations in recent weeks on eight members of the Taliban, the Haqqani Network and other groups, aiming to boost pressure on the militants' abilities to operate.

US moves motion to place Pakistan on global terror financing watchlist at FATF: Report

As China sided with Pakistan over US administration continued pressure on terrorism, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning fired another warning shot at the Abbasi government.

Manning told reporters that Pakistan should ensure that Taliban and Haqqani leadership and attack planners &quot;should no longer be able to find safe haven or conduct operations from Pakistani soil&quot;, as relations between to the two allies on the war on terror continued to be in free fall.

&ldquo;Our expectations are straightforward, the US has conveyed to Pakistan specific and concrete steps that it could take,&quot; Manning added.&nbsp;

The US had last week discontinued $900 million aid to Pakistan asserting that the country hadn&#39;t done enough to take out terror cells, Manning reassured the Pak officials saying that suspension of funds wasn&#39;t permanent and the money wasn&#39;t being diverted somewhere else.

Pakistan has been facing increasing pressure for the past several months from the Trump administration to crack down on terrorism. Both President Trump and top US officials have repeatedly slammed Pak officials in public forum over terror-related issues.

In fact, CIA chief Mike Pompeo speaking in CBS news channel said: &quot;If they(Pakistan) fix this problem, we&#39;re happy to continue to engage with them and be their partner. But if they don&#39;t, we&#39;re going to protect America.&quot;

&quot;We see the Pakistanis continuing to provide safe harbour, havens inside of Pakistan for terrorists who present risks to the United States of America,&quot; Pompeo said in CBS.

Pakistan&#39;s ally China on Monday said it opposed &quot;linking terrorism with any certain country&quot; after the White House said Xi&#39;s regime could play a vital role to convince Pakistan to take steps against the Haqqani Network and the Taliban.

Pakistan has been facing increasing pressure for the past several months from the Trump administration to crack down on terrorism.

As China sided with Pakistan over US administration continued pressure on terrorism, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning fired another warning shot at the Abbasi government. Manning told reporters that Pakistan should ensure that Taliban and Haqqani leadership and attack planners "should no longer be able to find safe haven or conduct operations from Pakistani soil", as relations between to the two allies on the war on terror continued to be in free fall. “Our expectations are straightforward, the US has conveyed to Pakistan specific and concrete steps that it could take," Manning added. The US had last week discontinued $900 million aid to Pakistan asserting that the country hadn't done enough to take out terror cells, Manning reassured the Pak officials saying that suspension of funds wasn't permanent and the money wasn't being diverted somewhere else. Pakistan has been facing increasing pressure for the past several months from the Trump administration to crack down on terrorism. Both President Trump and top US officials have repeatedly slammed Pak officials in public forum over terror-related issues. In fact, CIA chief Mike Pompeo speaking in CBS news channel said: "If they(Pakistan) fix this problem, we're happy to continue to engage with them and be their partner. But if they don't, we're going to protect America." "We see the Pakistanis continuing to provide safe harbour, havens inside of Pakistan for terrorists who present risks to the United States of America," Pompeo said in CBS. Pakistan's ally China on Monday said it opposed "linking terrorism with any certain country" after the White House said Xi's regime could play a vital role to convince Pakistan to take steps against the Haqqani Network and the Taliban.

Our expectations are straightforward, take concrete steps on terror: US to Pak

Hafiz Saeed today sued <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pakistani-actor-praises-terrorist-hafiz-saeed-calls-him-promoter-of-religious-tolerance-humanity-28338">Pakistan defence minister Khurram</a> Dastgir Khan for $100 million in a defamation suit even as Pakistan refused to take action against Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief.

In a statement, Pakistan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-opposes-hafiz-saeeds-mml-registration-as-political-party-27527">defence minister had said</a>&nbsp;earlier that &quot;actions&quot; taken against JuD was not due to US pressure but was part of an operation against the religious outfit Rad-ul-fasad.

The JuD chief has openly criticised the US ever since he was released from house arrest last month.

Last week Hafiz had called all Islamic states to launch a &#39;jihad&#39; against the United States and Israel after US President Bush decided to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

India accuses the JuD chief of being the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attack.

In a controversial move last week, the Pakistani government defended Hafiz Saeed after Palestinian ambassador to Pakistan Walid Abu Ali participated in a rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi along with the Saeed.

During the rally Saeed, who was among the speakers, accused Israel and the Indian leadership of &quot;destroying world peace&quot;.

India was quick to criticise the move leading the Palestinian authority to recall Walid Abu Ali from Pakistan.

India accuses the JuD of being the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attack

Hafiz Saeed today sued Pakistan defence minister Khurram Dastgir Khan for $100 million in a defamation suit even as Pakistan refused to take action against Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief. In a statement, Pakistan defence minister had said earlier that "actions" taken against JuD was not due to US pressure but was part of an operation against the religious outfit Rad-ul-fasad. The JuD chief has openly criticised the US ever since he was released from house arrest last month. Last week Hafiz had called all Islamic states to launch a 'jihad' against the United States and Israel after US President Bush decided to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. India accuses the JuD chief of being the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attack. In a controversial move last week, the Pakistani government defended Hafiz Saeed after Palestinian ambassador to Pakistan Walid Abu Ali participated in a rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi along with the Saeed. During the rally Saeed, who was among the speakers, accused Israel and the Indian leadership of "destroying world peace". India was quick to criticise the move leading the Palestinian authority to recall Walid Abu Ali from Pakistan.

JuD chief Hafiz Saeed sues Pakistan defence minister for $100 million

At the State Department <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-announce-specific-actions-against-pakistan-28503">spokesperson Heather Nauert said Pakistan </a>needs to show that it is sincere in cracking down on terrorism even as the White House said it would announce new measures against Pakistan on terror-related issues.

The US administration <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-shifting-blame-for-own-mistakes-maleeha-lodhi-28422">in the past week has put Pakistan under </a>renewed pressure after US President Donald Trump in a tweet on New Year&#39;s eve said the Abbasi-led government, including past governments, were involved in &quot;deceit and lies&quot; in the war on terror.

Nauert said: &quot;I don&rsquo;t want to say that Pakistan can do more, but Pakistan knows what it needs to do.&quot;

&quot;They need to better earn, essentially, the money that we have provided in the past in foreign military assistance, they need to show that they are sincere in their efforts to crack down on terrorists,&rdquo; she said.

The Pakistan government has slammed the Trump administration over its remark last week, with the foreign minister Khawaja Asif denouncing Trump.&nbsp;

President&#39;s Trump&#39;s renewed attack on Pakistan has led to a debate within the Pak government and the Opposition with several leaders asserting that their country does not need assistance from the US.

According to the US Congressional Research Service Pakistan has spent 8,259 million in security-releated fund from&nbsp;the US, it has spent a further 11,095 million in economic related projects and 14,573 million in Coalition Support funds(CSF) which the US reimbursed to Pakistan in its fight against terrorism in the AF-Pak region.

The CSF reimbursement has however been declining over a period of time especially after 2013 with the US administration intent on squeezing aid assistance to Pakistan.

President Trump had on Thursday decided to block $255 million military aid to Pakistan even as US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that the country has played a &quot;double game&quot; with the United States for years.

The US administration in the past week has put Pakistan under renewed pressure

At the State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said Pakistan needs to show that it is sincere in cracking down on terrorism even as the White House said it would announce new measures against Pakistan on terror-related issues. The US administration in the past week has put Pakistan under renewed pressure after US President Donald Trump in a tweet on New Year's eve said the Abbasi-led government, including past governments, were involved in "deceit and lies" in the war on terror. Nauert said: "I don’t want to say that Pakistan can do more, but Pakistan knows what it needs to do." "They need to better earn, essentially, the money that we have provided in the past in foreign military assistance, they need to show that they are sincere in their efforts to crack down on terrorists,” she said. The Pakistan government has slammed the Trump administration over its remark last week, with the foreign minister Khawaja Asif denouncing Trump. President's Trump's renewed attack on Pakistan has led to a debate within the Pak government and the Opposition with several leaders asserting that their country does not need assistance from the US. According to the US Congressional Research Service Pakistan has spent 8,259 million in security-releated fund from the US, it has spent a further 11,095 million in economic related projects and 14,573 million in Coalition Support funds(CSF) which the US reimbursed to Pakistan in its fight against terrorism in the AF-Pak region. The CSF reimbursement has however been declining over a period of time especially after 2013 with the US administration intent on squeezing aid assistance to Pakistan. President Trump had on Thursday decided to block $255 million military aid to Pakistan even as US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that the country has played a "double game" with the United States for years.

Pakistan needs to earn the money provided to fight terror: US

The Trump administration has placed<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-needs-to-earn-the-money-provided-to-fight-terror-us-28533"> Pakistan </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-needs-to-earn-the-money-provided-to-fight-terror-us-28533">in</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-needs-to-earn-the-money-provided-to-fight-terror-us-28533"> the special watch list </a>for &#39;severe violations of religious freedom&#39;, US State Department said in a statement.

The State Department also <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-is-the-honeymoon-between-pakistan-and-the-us-coming-to-an-end-28541">re-designated China, Eritrea, Iran, Myanmar</a>, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as countries of &nbsp;&quot;countries of particular concern&quot; under the International Religious Freedom Act.

The US said the 10 countries &quot;engaged in or tolerated egregious violations of religious freedom&quot;.

&quot;The protection of religious freedom is vital to peace, stability, and prosperity,&quot; the State Department said in a statement, adding that the designations were aimed at improving respect for religious freedom in these countries.

US and Pakistan have been involved in a tit-for-tat diplomatic row over terrorism for the past week with President alleging Pakistan engaging in &quot;deceit and lies&quot; in America&#39;s war on terror.&nbsp;

Pakistani officials hit back at the Trump administration with foreign minister Khawaja Asif asserting that the US should conduct an independent audit to find out the money spent on it in fighting terrorism in the AF-Pak region after President Trump said it had given $33 billion in aid to the country.

US and Pakistan have been involved in a tit-for-tat diplomatic row over terrorism for the past week

The Trump administration has placed Pakistan in the special watch list for 'severe violations of religious freedom', US State Department said in a statement. The State Department also re-designated China, Eritrea, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as countries of "countries of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act. The US said the 10 countries "engaged in or tolerated egregious violations of religious freedom". "The protection of religious freedom is vital to peace, stability, and prosperity," the State Department said in a statement, adding that the designations were aimed at improving respect for religious freedom in these countries. US and Pakistan have been involved in a tit-for-tat diplomatic row over terrorism for the past week with President alleging Pakistan engaging in "deceit and lies" in America's war on terror. Pakistani officials hit back at the Trump administration with foreign minister Khawaja Asif asserting that the US should conduct an independent audit to find out the money spent on it in fighting terrorism in the AF-Pak region after President Trump said it had given $33 billion in aid to the country.

US places Pakistan in special watch list for 'severe violation' of religious freedom

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistans-propaganda-exercise-on-jadhav-carries-no-credibility-india-28543" target="_blank">Pakistan&#39;s propaganda exercise on Jadhav carries no credibility: India</a>

As Pakistan released a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-releases-another-video-of-kulbhushan-jadhav-28518">new video of Kulbhashan Jadhav</a>, the ministry of external affairs(MEA) said it was not surprised by the new video asserting that Pakistan was simply continuing to put out &quot;coerced statements&quot; on the video.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-puts-tibetan-language-advocate-on-trial-for-inciting-separatism-28558" target="_blank">China puts Tibetan language advocate on trial for &#39;inciting separatism&#39;</a>

China today put a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-are-tibetan-refugees-doing-as-dalai-lama-celebrates-his-birthday-17626">Tibetan on trial for &quot;inciting separatism&quot;</a>&nbsp;even as rights group denounced the decision as a &quot;sham&quot; after appearing in a New York Times video documentary after he criticised policies related to Tibetan language education.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-needs-to-earn-the-money-provided-to-fight-terror-us-28533" target="_blank">Pakistan needs to earn the money provided to fight terror: US</a>

At the State Department&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-announce-specific-actions-against-pakistan-28503">spokesperson Heather Nauert said Pakistan&nbsp;</a>needs to show that it is sincere in cracking down on terrorism even as the White House said it would announce new measures against Pakistan on terror-related issues.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/fodder-scam-case-got-phone-calls-from-lalus-men-says-judge-28549" target="_blank">Fodder scam case: Got phone calls from Lalu&#39;s men, says judge</a>

As Lalu Prasad appeared in Ranchi court for sentencing in the fodder scam case, the judge told the RJD chief that &quot;he got phone calls from Lalu&#39;s men&quot;. &quot;I got many references for you but don&#39;t worry, I will follow only law&quot;, Special CBI court judge Shivpal Singh said in court on Thursday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vijay-mallya-declared-proclaimed-offender-by-delhi-court-28547" target="_blank">Vijay Mallya declared &#39;proclaimed offender&#39; by Delhi court</a>

A Delhi court today declared beleaguered businessman Vijay Mallya a proclaimed offender for evading summons in a FERA violation case. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Deepak Shehrawat passed the order after noting that Mallya failed to appear before it despite repeated summons.

&nbsp;

Pakistan's propaganda exercise on Jadhav carries no credibility: India As Pakistan released a new video of Kulbhashan Jadhav, the ministry of external affairs(MEA) said it was not surprised by the new video asserting that Pakistan was simply continuing to put out "coerced statements" on the video. China puts Tibetan language advocate on trial for 'inciting separatism' China today put a Tibetan on trial for "inciting separatism" even as rights group denounced the decision as a "sham" after appearing in a New York Times video documentary after he criticised policies related to Tibetan language education. Pakistan needs to earn the money provided to fight terror: US At the State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said Pakistan needs to show that it is sincere in cracking down on terrorism even as the White House said it would announce new measures against Pakistan on terror-related issues. Fodder scam case: Got phone calls from Lalu's men, says judge As Lalu Prasad appeared in Ranchi court for sentencing in the fodder scam case, the judge told the RJD chief that "he got phone calls from Lalu's men". "I got many references for you but don't worry, I will follow only law", Special CBI court judge Shivpal Singh said in court on Thursday. Vijay Mallya declared 'proclaimed offender' by Delhi court A Delhi court today declared beleaguered businessman Vijay Mallya a proclaimed offender for evading summons in a FERA violation case. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Deepak Shehrawat passed the order after noting that Mallya failed to appear before it despite repeated summons.

WION Evening news brief, 4 January 2018

Responding to President Trump&#39;s<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-lost-70000-lives-in-americas-war-on-terror-imran-khan-28324"> tweet on Pakistan &quot;deceiving&quot;&nbsp;the US </a>on its&nbsp;war on terror, foreign minister Khawaja Asif challenged the US declaring that it can hire an audit firm to find out whether $33 billion was spent on fighting terror.

In his tweet, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-blocks-usd-255-million-military-aid-to-pakistan-28291">Khawaja said: &quot;President Trump</a> quoted figure&nbsp;of $33billion given to Pakistan over last 15 years, he can hire a US-based audit firm on our expense to verify this figure and let the world know who is lying &amp; deceiving.&quot; 
&nbsp;

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Pres Trump quoted figure of $33billion given to PAK over last 15yrs,he can hire a US based Audit firm on our expense to verify this figure &amp; let the world know who is lying &amp; deceiving..
&mdash; Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) <a href="https://twitter.com/KhawajaMAsif/status/948201021356085248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Asif had said earlier that he would respond to President Trump&#39;s tweet to &quot;let the world know the truth..difference between facts &amp; fiction.&quot;

President Trump in a New Year tweet had said that the US has &quot;foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars&quot; in aid over the last 15 years, and Pakistan had given the US &quot;nothing but lies &amp; deceit.&quot;

Trump&#39;s tweet created a firestorm in Pakistan with Pak authorities determined to fire back at Trump&#39;s latest lash out against its allay on the war on terror.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, reports said Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) to discuss President Trump&#39;s accusations against Pakistan.

After the meeting the NSC expressed &quot;deep disappointment&quot; at the allegations levelled against Pakistan by US President Donald Trump, Pakistan&#39;s Dawn newspaper reported.

Asif&#39;s attack on the US comes just hours after the Trump administration suspended $255 million military aid to Pakistan saying the fate of such assistance will depend on Islamabad&#39;s response to terrorism on its soil.

US relations with Pakistan hit a new low in August last year after President Trump unveiled his new Afghanistan strategy blaming the Pakistan government for creating &quot;safe haven&quot; for terrorists.

President Trump in a New Year tweet had said that the US has "foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars" in aid

Responding to President Trump's tweet on Pakistan "deceiving" the US on its war on terror, foreign minister Khawaja Asif challenged the US declaring that it can hire an audit firm to find out whether $33 billion was spent on fighting terror. In his tweet, Khawaja said: "President Trump quoted figure of $33billion given to Pakistan over last 15 years, he can hire a US-based audit firm on our expense to verify this figure and let the world know who is lying & deceiving." Pres Trump quoted figure of $33billion given to PAK over last 15yrs,he can hire a US based Audit firm on our expense to verify this figure & let the world know who is lying & deceiving.. — Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) January 2, 2018 × Asif had said earlier that he would respond to President Trump's tweet to "let the world know the truth..difference between facts & fiction." President Trump in a New Year tweet had said that the US has "foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars" in aid over the last 15 years, and Pakistan had given the US "nothing but lies & deceit." Trump's tweet created a firestorm in Pakistan with Pak authorities determined to fire back at Trump's latest lash out against its allay on the war on terror. Meanwhile, reports said Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) to discuss President Trump's accusations against Pakistan. After the meeting the NSC expressed "deep disappointment" at the allegations levelled against Pakistan by US President Donald Trump, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported. Asif's attack on the US comes just hours after the Trump administration suspended $255 million military aid to Pakistan saying the fate of such assistance will depend on Islamabad's response to terrorism on its soil. US relations with Pakistan hit a new low in August last year after President Trump unveiled his new Afghanistan strategy blaming the Pakistan government for creating "safe haven" for terrorists.

Trump can hire US firm to verify $33 billion spent on Pakistan to fight terror, tweets Khawaja Asif

Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office said today the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-make-massive-payments-to-pakistan-they-have-to-help-fight-terror-groups-trump-27234">US National Security Strategy has made</a> &quot;unsubstantiated&quot; allegations and &quot;trivialised&quot; Pakistan&#39;s efforts on fighting terrorism.

&quot;It is because of Pakistan&#39;s cooperation <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-talks-about-america-first-national-strategy-welcomes-indias-emergence-as-leading-global-power-27128">with the international community, </a>acknowledged and appreciated by the US leadership, that the al-Qaeda&#39;s core was decimated from the region,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s foreign office said in a statement.

The foreign office said that Pakistan continues to suffer at the hands of &quot;state-sponsored terrorism, funded and abetted by our neighbours through proxies.&quot;

Pointing at India, the foreign office said: &quot;South Asia&#39;s strategic stability is being undermined by India&#39;s unchecked brutalization of the people of &quot;Indian Occupied Kashmir&quot; and incessant ceasefire violations targeting innocent civilians.&quot;

Referring further to India, it said, &quot;Ironically, a country with a record of defiance of UNSC resolutions, introduction of nuclear weapons in South Asia and use of terrorism as a state policy is being projected as a regional leader.&quot;

On Afghanistan, which the US has repeatedly referred to during its terror strategy, Pakistan said despite substantial US presence, it was being &quot;constantly used by elements hostile to Pakistan&#39;s stability.&quot;

&quot;Pakistan&#39;s efforts and sincere proposals for effective border management to prevent cross-border movement of militants and return of Afghan refugees are yet to make any headway,&quot; it said, adding that a &quot;malicious campaign&quot; is underway to undo Pakistan&#39;s achievements in the war against terrorism.&nbsp;

&quot;Pakistan&#39;s security forces have undertaken indiscriminate and effective counter-terrorism operations against terrorism and extremism,&quot; the statement said.

&quot;Pakistan is a more stable, peaceful and secure country,&quot; the Pakistan foreign office stated.

"Pakistan is a more stable, peaceful and secure country," the Pakistan foreign office stated.

Pakistan's Foreign Office said today the US National Security Strategy has made "unsubstantiated" allegations and "trivialised" Pakistan's efforts on fighting terrorism. "It is because of Pakistan's cooperation with the international community, acknowledged and appreciated by the US leadership, that the al-Qaeda's core was decimated from the region," Pakistan's foreign office said in a statement. The foreign office said that Pakistan continues to suffer at the hands of "state-sponsored terrorism, funded and abetted by our neighbours through proxies." Pointing at India, the foreign office said: "South Asia's strategic stability is being undermined by India's unchecked brutalization of the people of "Indian Occupied Kashmir" and incessant ceasefire violations targeting innocent civilians." Referring further to India, it said, "Ironically, a country with a record of defiance of UNSC resolutions, introduction of nuclear weapons in South Asia and use of terrorism as a state policy is being projected as a regional leader." On Afghanistan, which the US has repeatedly referred to during its terror strategy, Pakistan said despite substantial US presence, it was being "constantly used by elements hostile to Pakistan's stability." "Pakistan's efforts and sincere proposals for effective border management to prevent cross-border movement of militants and return of Afghan refugees are yet to make any headway," it said, adding that a "malicious campaign" is underway to undo Pakistan's achievements in the war against terrorism. "Pakistan's security forces have undertaken indiscriminate and effective counter-terrorism operations against terrorism and extremism," the statement said. "Pakistan is a more stable, peaceful and secure country," the Pakistan foreign office stated.

US National Security Strategy made unsubstantiated allegations: Pakistan

The US administration has shared a list 20 terrorist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-pursuing-zero-tolerance-on-terror-pak-foreign-minister-to-tillerson-21015">groups which the Americans claim are operating in Pakistan</a>, the Dawn newspaper reported quoting diplomatic sources.

On Wednesday, US secretary of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tillerson-too-many-terror-groups-finding-safe-haven-in-pak-threatening-stability-of-govt-22888">state Rex Tillerson had told the Senate Foreign Relations</a> Committee that Pakistan is willing to target terrorists if provided information by the US government.

&quot;Pakistanis have indicated - if we provide the information they will act. We&#39;re going to have to test that, give them an opportunity to do so,&quot; Tillerson had told the committee.

Pakistan officials denied US had given a list of 75 terrorist organizations, Dawn said.

The Dawn also reported that the US government released a list of kind of militants on The Washington Post&rsquo;s demand, it included: those who launched attacks on Afghanistan, those who targeted Pakistan and critically for India - militants who focused on Kashmir.

Top of the list of militants is the Haqqani network, the Dawn report said.

The list also includes Jaish-e-Mohammed which operates in Kashmir and Lashkar-e-Taiba led by Hafiz Sayeed who India accuses of having masterminded the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The other groups include: Harakatul Mujahideen, Lashkar-i-Jhanghvi, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Harakatul Jihadi-i-Islami, Jamaatul Ahrar, Jamaatud Dawa al-Quran and Tariq Gidar Group.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Commander Nazir Group, Indian Mujahideen, Islamic Jihad Union, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan ISIS-Khorasan, Al Qaeda in the Indian Sub-Continent and the Turkistan Islamic Party Movement are also on the list, Dawn reported. 
&nbsp;

Top of the list of militants is the Haqqani network, the Dawn report said.

The US administration has shared a list 20 terrorist groups which the Americans claim are operating in Pakistan, the Dawn newspaper reported quoting diplomatic sources. On Wednesday, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson had told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Pakistan is willing to target terrorists if provided information by the US government. "Pakistanis have indicated - if we provide the information they will act. We're going to have to test that, give them an opportunity to do so," Tillerson had told the committee. Pakistan officials denied US had given a list of 75 terrorist organizations, Dawn said. The Dawn also reported that the US government released a list of kind of militants on The Washington Post’s demand, it included: those who launched attacks on Afghanistan, those who targeted Pakistan and critically for India - militants who focused on Kashmir. Top of the list of militants is the Haqqani network, the Dawn report said. The list also includes Jaish-e-Mohammed which operates in Kashmir and Lashkar-e-Taiba led by Hafiz Sayeed who India accuses of having masterminded the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The other groups include: Harakatul Mujahideen, Lashkar-i-Jhanghvi, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan Harakatul Jihadi-i-Islami, Jamaatul Ahrar, Jamaatud Dawa al-Quran and Tariq Gidar Group. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Commander Nazir Group, Indian Mujahideen, Islamic Jihad Union, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan ISIS-Khorasan, Al Qaeda in the Indian Sub-Continent and the Turkistan Islamic Party Movement are also on the list, Dawn reported.

US hands list of 20 terror groups to Pakistan: Report

President Donald Trump on Saturday said that Pakistan took &quot;tremendous advantage&quot;&nbsp;of the US over the years, but is now &quot;starting to have a real&quot;&nbsp;relationship.

Trump&#39;s remarks came a day after Pakistan secured the release of an American-Canadian family from the clutches of the Haqqani terror network, five years after they were abducted.

&ldquo;Yesterday, things happened with Pakistan,&rdquo; said the US president.

&ldquo;I have openly said Pakistan took tremendous advantage of our country for many years, but we&rsquo;re starting to have a real relationship with Pakistan, and they&rsquo;re to respect us as a nation again, and so are other nations,&rdquo; Trump said.

&quot;They are starting to respect the United States of America again,&quot;&nbsp;he said and thanked the leaders of Pakistan for &ldquo;what they&rsquo;ve been doing&rdquo;.

&ldquo;In this administration, we will call evil by its name,&rdquo; Trump said.

American citizen Caitlan Coleman and her Canadian husband Joshua Boyle along with their three children were rescued from the Haqqani network on Friday after an operation by Pakistani forces based on intelligence from the US authorities.

Trump had slammed Pakistan for its continued support to terrorist groups and warned Islamabad of consequences if it continues to do so while announcing his Afghan and south Asia policy in August.

President Trump yesterday hailed the release of the hostages from Taliban captivity. He said their release was a &ldquo;positive moment&rdquo; for US relations with Pakistan.

Trump also praised Pakistan for its willingness to &ldquo;do more to provide security in the region&rdquo; and said the release suggests other &ldquo;countries are starting to respect the United States of America once again.&rdquo;

Donald Trump said Pakistan was beginning to respect US again

President Donald Trump on Saturday said that Pakistan took "tremendous advantage" of the US over the years, but is now "starting to have a real" relationship. Trump's remarks came a day after Pakistan secured the release of an American-Canadian family from the clutches of the Haqqani terror network, five years after they were abducted. “Yesterday, things happened with Pakistan,” said the US president. “I have openly said Pakistan took tremendous advantage of our country for many years, but we’re starting to have a real relationship with Pakistan, and they’re to respect us as a nation again, and so are other nations,” Trump said. "They are starting to respect the United States of America again," he said and thanked the leaders of Pakistan for “what they’ve been doing”. “In this administration, we will call evil by its name,” Trump said. American citizen Caitlan Coleman and her Canadian husband Joshua Boyle along with their three children were rescued from the Haqqani network on Friday after an operation by Pakistani forces based on intelligence from the US authorities. Trump had slammed Pakistan for its continued support to terrorist groups and warned Islamabad of consequences if it continues to do so while announcing his Afghan and south Asia policy in August. President Trump yesterday hailed the release of the hostages from Taliban captivity. He said their release was a “positive moment” for US relations with Pakistan. Trump also praised Pakistan for its willingness to “do more to provide security in the region” and said the release suggests other “countries are starting to respect the United States of America once again.”

We call evil by its name: President Trump on Pakistan

In a move which could further fray <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-gives-255-million-aid-to-pakistan-on-conditions-of-cracking-down-on-terror-outfits-19710">relations with Pakistan, US defense secretary James Mattis</a> said today his government would try to work with Pakistan to address the problem of terrorism but if it fails then the &quot;US president would be prepared to take whatever steps necessary&quot;.

The Trump administration had earlier <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-tells-un-wont-be-scapegoat-in-afghan-war-20510">notified the US Congress that it was giving $255 million</a> to Pakistan in military assistance only if it cracked down on terror groups.

&quot;We need to try one more time to make this strategy work with them, by, with and through the Pakistanis, and if our best efforts fail, the president is prepared to take whatever steps are necessary,&quot; Mattis said at a House Armed Services Committee hearing.

Pakistan&#39;s relations with the US, especially under Trump, have hit rock bottom after the US president put Pakistan on notice last month saying, &quot;We can no longer be silent about Pakistan&#39;s safe havens for terrorist organisations&quot;.

During his speech, Trump leaned on India to move forward on Afganistan where the&nbsp;US has been engaged in a fight to overcome the Taliban for over sixteen years. &nbsp;

When asked by a lawmaker whether revoking of Pakistan&#39;s major non-NATO ally was amongst the options being considered to deal with Islamabad, Mattis said: &quot;I am sure it will be.&quot;

Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford said that the current cost for the United States in Afghanistan was about $12.5 billion a year, and the new strategy would cost an additional $1.1 billion.

 
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The Trump administration's new strategy on Afghanistan could cost the United States an additional $1.1 billion in addition to $12.5 billion a year

In a move which could further fray relations with Pakistan, US defense secretary James Mattis said today his government would try to work with Pakistan to address the problem of terrorism but if it fails then the "US president would 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. "We need to try one more time to make this strategy work with them, by, with and through the Pakistanis, and if our best efforts fail, the president is prepared to take whatever steps are necessary," Mattis said at a House Armed Services Committee hearing. Pakistan's relations with the US, especially under Trump, have hit rock bottom after the US president put Pakistan on notice last month saying, "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations". During his speech, Trump leaned on India to move forward on Afganistan where the US has been engaged in a fight to overcome the Taliban for over sixteen years. When asked by a lawmaker whether revoking of Pakistan's major non-NATO ally was amongst the options being considered to deal with Islamabad, Mattis said: "I am sure it will be." Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford said that the current cost for the United States in Afghanistan was about $12.5 billion a year, and the new strategy would cost an additional $1.1 billion.

'Ready to try one more time with Pakistan,' warns US defense secretary James Mattis

Pakistan said today it wanted &quot;peace and stability&quot; in Afghanistan after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/reversing-course-trump-commits-to-open-ended-afghan-war-19303">President Trump singled out Pakistan for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/reversing-course-trump-commits-to-open-ended-afghan-war-19303">harbouring</a> terrorists while announcing his Afganistan strategy.

Trump unveiled his<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-clears-way-for-troop-increase-in-afghanistan-19283"> Afg</a>hanistan<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-clears-way-for-troop-increase-in-afghanistan-19283"> plan today committing more troops </a>and fight an all out war against Taliban who have been fighting&nbsp;against US-led coalition forces since 2001.

&quot;The consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable,&quot; he said. &quot;A hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum that terrorists, including IS and al Qaeda, would instantly fill.&quot;

On Pakistan, the president said: &quot;We can no longer be silent about Pakistan&rsquo;s safe havens,&quot; Trump said. &quot;Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor terrorists.&quot;&nbsp;

Pakistan&#39;s foreign ministry said it wanted &quot;peace and stability in Afganistan&quot;. The ministry said Pakistan&nbsp;&nbsp;continued to desire&nbsp;to work with the International Community to eliminate the menace of terrorism.&quot;

On India, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nato-secretary-general-welcomes-new-us-approach-to-afghanistan-19314">Trump said the world&#39;s largest democracy</a>&nbsp;is a key security and economic partner of the United States.&nbsp;

&quot;We appreciate India&#39;s important contributions to stability in Afghanistan, but India makes billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development,&quot; Trump said.&nbsp;

Pakistan had, in fact, declared it had taken action<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-has-cracked-down-on-islamist-militants-including-haqqani-network-army-19281"> against all Islamist militants including the Haqqani network</a> just hours ahead of a US announcement on Afghan policy on Monday.

&quot;There are no terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. We have operated against all terrorists, including (the) Haqqani network,&quot; spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told a media briefing in Islamabad.

He said evidence to that effect was shared with General Joseph Votel, chief of the US Central Command, who visited Pakistan over the weekend.

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"Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor terrorists."?

Pakistan said today it wanted "peace and stability" in Afghanistan after President Trump singled out Pakistan for harbouring terrorists while announcing his Afganistan strategy. Trump unveiled his Afghanistan plan today committing more troops and fight an all out war against Taliban who have been fighting against US-led coalition forces since 2001. "The consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable," he said. "A hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum that terrorists, including IS and al Qaeda, would instantly fill." On Pakistan, the president said: "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens," Trump said. "Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor terrorists." Pakistan's foreign ministry said it wanted "peace and stability in Afganistan". The ministry said Pakistan continued to desire to work with the International Community to eliminate the menace of terrorism." On India, Trump said the world's largest democracy is a key security and economic partner of the United States. "We appreciate India's important contributions to stability in Afghanistan, but India makes billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development," Trump said. Pakistan had, in fact, declared it had taken action against all Islamist militants including the Haqqani network just hours ahead of a US announcement on Afghan policy on Monday. "There are no terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. We have operated against all terrorists, including (the) Haqqani network," spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told a media briefing in Islamabad. He said evidence to that effect was shared with General Joseph Votel, chief of the US Central Command, who visited Pakistan over the weekend.

Trump's 'safe haven for terrorist' remark: We want peace, stability in Afghanistan, says Pakistan