*WASHINGTON:* US President Donald Trump is “not satisfied” with theprogress made by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, the White Housesaid on Thursday.
The White House also said that for the first time, the US isholding Pakistan accountable for its actions.
“I know that we have restored some clarity in our relationshipwith Pakistan. For the first time we’reholding Pakistan accountable for itsactions,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah told reporters duringa press conference.
“We’ve seen modest progress in terms of Pakistan’s actual acknowledgementof these concerns, but the President is not satisfied with progress when itcomes to Pakistan,” Shah said.
He was responding to a question on the progress made in PresidentTrump’s South Asia policy which was announced in August last year.
“The US is working closely with our partners in Afghanistan. We’ve madesignificant progress against ISIS, reducing their presence and eliminatinghundreds of fighters. We’ve eliminated their top leaders, and we’re workingrelentlessly to target their leadership and bases wherever they emerge,”Shah said.
In another news conference, the Pentagon said that the South Asia policyoffers an opportunity to Pakistan.
“The (defence) secretary believes that Pakistan has an opportunity to domore with respect to regional security and that it’s in its interests to domore with respect to regional security. It’s an opportunity, and we wouldwelcome Pakistan’s involvement,” Pentagon Chief Press Spokesperson DanaWhite said. – Agencies