US sanctions alleged Haqqani commander, 4 others

The step semmingly has been taken to raise pressure on Pakistan to do more against the group, which rules at least four Afghan provinces and has a strong clout in many other parts. However, Pakistani leadership has rejected the American ‘do more’ mantra at the All Parties Conference in Islamabad.The US Treasury said Abdul Aziz Abbasin was named by the the Haqqani network as the Taliban shadow governor in Orgun district, Paktika province in Afghanistan, where he commands a group of Taliban fighters and has helped run a militant training camp.Another report meanwhile said the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions on five individuals it said are linked to the most dangerous terrorist organizations operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan.These financiers and facilitators provide the fuel for the Taliban, Haqqani Network and Al-Qaeda to realize their violentaspirations, Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen said in a statement.As a result of the action, U.S. companies and individuals are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with thetargeted individuals and any assets they hold under US jurisdiction are frozen, Treasury said.Treasury listed Afghanistan natives Hajji Faizullah Khan Noorzai and Hajji Malik Noorzai as Taliban financiers who held the militant group invest money in various businesses.It also named Pakistan national Abdur Rehman, who operates a religious school in Karachi, as aiding the Taliban and Al-Qaeda logistically and financially.The fifth person named was Fazal Rahim, called a financial facilitator for Al-Qaeda and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.It said Rahim had helped the IMU send foreign fighters to Pakistan for training.These financiers and facilitators provide the fuel for the Taliban, Haqqani Network and Al-Qaeda to realize their violent aspirations, Treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence David Cohen said in a statement.