US National Security Adviser HR McMaster said in an
interview that his president wants Pakistan to change its policy of supporting
selective terror groups.
United States President Donald Trump wants Pakistan to
change its policy of selectively supporting certain militant groups, his
national security advisor, General HR McMaster, said in an interview this
weekend.
McMaster called Pakistan's policy "paradoxical"
noting that Pakistan has taken "great losses" in the fight against
terrorism, yet at the same time has been selective in fighting against terror
groups. "They [Pakistan] have fought very hard against these groups, but
they've done so really only selectively," McMaster said.
McMaster, who was speaking to the conservative radio host
Hugh Hewitt on MSNBC, "change in behavior" from those involved in the
Afghanistan region, particularly Pakistan.
"The president has also made clear that he, that we
need to see a change in in behaviour of those in the region, which includes
those who are providing safe haven and support bases for the Taliban, Haqqani
Network and others," McMaster, was quoted by MSNBC as saying.
"This is Pakistan in particular that we want to... that
we want to really see a change in and a reduction of their support for these
groups," he said, in response to a question on Afghanistan and terrorism
in the region," the NSA added.
McMaster added that Trump was clear that the US would no
longer "tolerate" any support for the Taliban or relatedgroups.
"Of course, you know, a very paradoxical situation, right, where Pakistan
is taking great losses. They have foughtvery hard against these groups, but
they've done so really only selectively."
McMaster's comments, which echo something that India and
Afghanistan have long accused Pakistan of, come against the backdrop of
Washington increasing pressure on Islamabad to end support for terrorist
elements.
Pakistan has time and again denied the suggestion that it is
'selective' in its fight against terrorism, but several US officials have
previously accused Islamabad of helping terrorists.
McMaster's interview, however, marked the first time that
such an allegation was attributed directly to President Trump.
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