WASHINGTON – United States will continue to exert pressure over Pakistanregarding its South Asia Policy.
The Trump administration will continue to apply pressure until Islamabadchanges it policy towards regional peace and stability in Afghanistan, saysthe State Department’s Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Pakistan HenryEnsher.
Ensher said in an important relationship with many common interests,efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan was primary and majorarea of policy divergence with Pakistan at the moment. “As long as thatcontinues, we will continue to color and take centre stage in bilateralrelationship,” he said.
“In reality, we have seen some action but we have not seen the decisivesteps from Pakistan that could demonstrate commitment, ensuring theirterritory cannot be used by the Taliban, the Haqqani Network and othergroups that were so violent and bring instability in the region,” he said.
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He argued that President Trump’s South Asia strategy, and suspension ofsecurity assistance and coalition support fund payments to Pakistanreflected the US concerns over Islamabad’s continuing counter-productivepolicies.
However, he added that the new civilian government in Pakistan has theopportunity to fix bilateral relations and be “our partner in bringingpeace and stability to Afghanistan and peace and security in Pakistan.Doing so will enable more mutually beneficial relationship.”
