Summary John Sullivan said that Pakistan has played an important role in pushing Al Qaeda closer to defeat.
WASHINGTON (Dunya News) - US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan has suggested that President Donald Trump s administration has so far seen no evidence that Pakistan has met its demands for a crackdown on militants operating in the country.
Addressing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan said on Tuesday that Washington recognizes the "benefits of cooperation" with Pakistan and acknowledges the "enormous sacrifices the Pakistani people and security forces have made to combat terrorism."
He said that Pakistan has played an important role in pushing Al Qaeda closer to defeat, combating ISIS, securing its nuclear weapons, hosting Afghan refugees, and, importantly, providing access for supplies and equipment used by U.S. and Afghan forces.
John Sullivan that the United States is committed to play its role to reduce tensions in the region in ways that address Pakistan’s legitimate concerns.
"To be clear, we oppose the use of terrorist proxies by any country against another country, anywhere in the world. The use of terrorism has no place in a rules-based international system. We hope the Pakistan will also help to convince the Taliban to enter a peace process," he said.
But he also said that the United States intends to "hold Pakistan accountable for its failure to deny sanctuary to militant proxies."
Early last month, the US government announced it was suspending security assistance to the Pakistani military until it took "decisive action" against the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network that are operating in neighbouring Afghanistan. US officials said the freeze could affect $2 billion worth of assistance.
"We may consider lifting the suspension when we see decisive and sustained actions to address our concerns, including targeting all terrorist groups operating within its territory, without distinction," Sullivan said.
Islamabad denies harboring militant groups that carry out attacks in neighboring Afghanistan.
