WASHINGTON: U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman of the SenateForeign Relations Committee, yesterday applauded the Trump administrationfor suspending security assistance to Pakistan, accusing Islamabad ofcontinued harboring of the Haqqani network that threatens American forcesand U.S. objectives in Afghanistan.

Corker has previously blocked foreign military financing for Pakistan untilthe country takes sufficient action against the Haqqanis.

“While Pakistan is an important country in the region, they have been veryduplicitous in their dealings with us – on one hand taking our resourcesand acting as if they are our security partner and on the other handhedging their bets and giving safe harbor to the greatest threat to ourmilitary and the government of Afghanistan,” said Corker.

“The Trump administration’s calibrated approach is designed to encouragePakistan to take the necessary steps against the Haqqani network. I applaudthe president and his national security team and look forward to workingwith them to achieve our critical security objectives in the region.”