US raps Pakistan again, hints it isn't doing much to combat mainstreaming of terrorism

In a big development just before Pakistan goes to elections, US has raised its concerns with Pakistan on mainstreaming of terror. In an exclusive comment to WION, US state department has said, "We have repeatedly expressed our concerns to the Pakistani government about LeT, including the participation of LeT-affiliated individuals in the elections."

The development comes even as Pakistani military establishment has been trying to back terror elements in Pakistani political system. Pakistan goes to election on 25th of July. Hafiz Saeed had initially tried to contest elections via Milli Muslim League (MML) but the party wasn't granted registration by Pakitan's election commission.

In fact, US State dept reminded Pakitan, in its reply to WION about Pakistan's election commission's refusal to register MML for being in the list of Foreign Terrorist Organization.

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State Department said, "We note that Pakistan’s own election commission rejected the registration of the LeT-affiliated Milli Muslim League (MML) in June, citing its linkages to an internationally-sanctioned terrorist organization.‎ The US State Department also amended its Foreign Terrorist Organization designation of LeT in April to add the MML as an alias of the group."

Hafiz Saeed has also been listed by the UN Security Council 1267 al-Qaida Sanctions Committee for targeted sanctions due to his affiliation with the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT).

But that hasn't deterred Saeed. More than 200 of his supporters are contesting the elections via another little-known party, Allah O Akbar Tehreek with "Chair" as the symbol. This includes Hafiz Saeed's son Hafiz Talha Saeed and Son in law Khalid Waleed.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's elections seem to be in pressure with former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and her daughter in jail, PPP in a disarray under novice Bilawal Bhutto and terror attacks targetting election rallies.

The terror attack that stuck election rally in Balochistan killed more than 100 people.

Three tragic terrorist attacks hit Pakistan last week killing more than 150 people. Even so-called arch-rival India came out and condemned the attacks and said, "These attacks took place in election rallies, essential to the democratic process. India has always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.''