Washington:
US President Donald Trump’s administration has plans to harden its approach towards Pakistan to crackdown on it with possible drone strikes on terrorist safe havens that has led to attacks on Afghanistan, news agency Reuters has reported.
Top US top officials have confirmed the US government plans to crackdown on terrorists in Pakistan. US officials have told the news agency on condition of anonymity that the Trump administration is discussing potential responses including expansion of US drone strikes, cutting some aid to Pakistan and downgrading Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally.
However, some US officials are doubtful of the prospects for success and have argued that years of earlier efforts of the US to curb Pakistan’s support for militant groups have failed.
US officials say they are looking for greater cooperation with Pakistan and don’t want to rupture the US-Pak ties.
However, Pentagon and White House have refused to comment on the review before it is completed. Pakistan’s embassy in Washington has also did not responded on the same so far.
"The United States and Pakistan continue to partner on a range of national security issues," Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump was quoted as saying by Reuters.
"We've never really fully articulated what our strategy towards Pakistan is. The strategy will more clearly say what we want from Pakistan specifically," the US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
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"I believe there will be a much harder US line on Pakistan going forward than there has been in the past," Hamdullah Mohib, the Afghan ambassador to the United States, told Reuters, without citing specific measures under review.
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