WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is “not satisfied” with the progressmade by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and the US for the firsttime is holding Islamabad accountable for its actions, the White House saidhinting that US pressure on Pakistan to be enhanced in coming days.
The remarks by White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah came amid theongoing meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in Paris where USis leading efforts to place Pakistan on an international terror-financingwatch list.
“I know that we have restored some clarity in our relationship withPakistan. For the first time we’re holding Pakistan accountable for itsactions,” Shah told reporters.
“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 responding to a question on the progress madein the President’s South Asia Policy which was announced in August lastyear.
Trump while announcing his South Asia policy had accused Pakistan ofharbouring terror outfits and asked it to do more in the fight againstterrorism.
“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 working relentlessly totarget their leadership and bases wherever they emerge,” Shah said.