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The United States has once again accused Pakistan of not taking significant action against the militant outfits and accusing them of operating from "Pakistan-based safe havens" to threaten the US and Afghan forces in Afghanistan.
The US State Department, in its annual “Country Reports on Terrorism 2016” released on Wednesday, said Islamabad has failed to take significant action to constrain the ability of the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani Network to operate from "Pakistan-based safe havens".
It mentioned the Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani Network, Lashkar-i-Tayyiba (LT), and Jaish-i-Muhammad (JM) as "groups located in Pakistan, but focused on conducting attacks outside the country".
The report accused that the government did not take any significant action against Jaish-i-Muhammad (JM) or Lashkar-i-Taiba (LT), "other than implementing an ongoing ban against media coverage of their activities".
"LT and JM continued to hold rallies, raise money, recruit, and train in Pakistan," it maintained.
"The government has not joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, although it designated ISIS as a terrorist organisation in 2015. Police and security forces detained and killed a substantial number of ISIS-affiliated terrorists," the report said.
Political reconciliation
The US State Department in its report, however, termed Pakistan an important partner. "Pakistan remained an important counterterrorism partner in 2016," the report read, adding that the government supported political reconciliation between the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban.
Shedding light on the domestic front, the report viewed that violent extremist groups targeted civilians, officials, and religious minorities in the country.
"Major terrorist groups focused on conducting terrorist attacks in Pakistan included the Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jamaat‑ul‑Ahrar (JuA), and the sectarian group LeJ. The militant group Islamic State's (IS) Khorasan Province claimed several major attacks against Pakistani targets, likely conducted in collaboration with other terrorist groups," the report reads.
Progress of securtiy agencies
The data mentioned in the report also shows a significant reduction in the number of terrorism-related civilian deaths in Pakistan in 2016. Some 600 such deaths were reported in 2016, far lower than the peak years of 2012 and 2013, when terrorist acts killed more than 3,000 civilians each year (according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal), it added.
Terrorists used a range of tactics – stationary and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (IEDs), suicide bombings, targeted assassinations, and rocket-propelled grenades – to attack individuals, schools, markets, government institutions, and places of worship, the report reads.
The US State Department said that the Pakistani government continued to implement the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism, but with "uneven results".
"Progress remained slow on regulating madrassas, blocking extremist messaging, empowering the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), cutting off terrorist financing, and strengthening the judicial system," read the report.
Despite its extensive security infrastructure, the country suffered major attacks, particularly in Balochistan, it added.
Comments (72) Closed
US frienship is expensive for paksitan.
USA have failed to act against Indian violation and targeting innocent civilans on the border......
Americans love to put blame on others.
Here we go again, Pakistan is not doing enough! The largest and most modern weapons with sufficient funds failed the policing work in Afghanistan now blames Pakistan for her failure. What is exactly USA agenda? Peace, war or bullying, or they can't decide for themselves. At lease consider that Pakistan suffered the most in terrorism combat.
We have paid circa 0.1 million human cost in this WoT. The USA always revolves around her (ambiguous) national interests. She expects all other nations to compromise their national interests before her. Trump or Obama the S.Asian policy of the US remains self-centred and vaguely imprudent.The US is putting all her failures in this increasingly prolonged adventure in the name of war on terror on the shoulders of Pakistan. History will, however, count this WoT in two of the biggest failures (blunders) of the US in Asia along with Vietnam War.
Back to square 1 - Now since Pakistan is actively participating with CPEC, USA would have to remain in the region.....!
Pakistan is doing its best with limited resources available to curb terrorism and to quiet an extent they have succeeded, thanks to the valiant armed forses of Pakistan. We the Pakistan are the most sufferers of terrorism, initiated from outside the Pak territory with the halp of our nabours. If still the US is not satisfied,its totally uncalled for and has no justifocatipn. ,their opinion is just based on hear say stories,fabricated by their agencies
We should appreciate how Pakistan has tackled down all the others groups successfully? It's shame US doesn't recognise these efforts.
It shall be a peaceful co-existence if Pakistan would care to be honest and do what they say.
But most of this is true, is it not?
Pakistan has suffered the most due to terrorism.
USA can say anything it wants, but everything USA says is not important!!
Pakistan is a victim of terrorism. The country has lost many civilians in terror attacks. This is not fair to single out Pakistan.
US failed to act against the Taliban and AQ for the last 13 years. The worlds largest military with the help of coalition forces unable to defeat a bunch of rag tag under equipped mountain folk......spend your tax dollars on healthcare and education, you desperately need it.
WOW! What an achievement and recognition for all of us Pakistanis! Living in US over a decade I hang my head in shame. Wrong foreign policy, poor security planning and inaction are making us famous for wrong reasons.
CPEC has been bothering USA. We can feel your pain.
Where are the ones who dragged us in this situation? Enjoying Western breeze?
Finally, open truth came out in open I hope Pak Gov takes concrete action for its own survival and safety to its citizen
Nothing new in the report, the demand to "do more" has become quite old now. It throws further light on the lack of trust between the two important coalition partners.
Meh. Old myths, nothing more. US has failed to find a working strategy for Afghanistan and now looking for a scapegoat. These pressure tactics can't work anymore.
US should stop acting like a child and stop blaming others for its own failures.
Do the US and her allies have any proofs of militants groups operate from safe haven in Pakistan. If they have proof, why they don't show to the world and media? Why no action.
Absolutely, because some powerful nations were providing arms to these groups.
The news is unwelcome for Pakistan and can trigger crisis situation.In management parlance "Management by systems or MBS" is rated far above "Management by crisis or MBC". Establishment of good systems requires sustained efforts on logic,truth,thrift,liberalism and rational based education.
This has been coming for years! See "The Wrong Enemy: America in Afghanistan 2001-2014" by Carlotta Gall! Required reading in US State Department.
funny, why they don't mind their own business.
Very Bad News for us .
And people wonder why other countries not investing in Pakistan and mostly pulling out investment. Anyway who cares about investment we have real assets who will make Pakistan great again.
Everyone knows that in recent operations religious extremists are given a free hand in cities like Karachi and Lahore. Our security establishment cannot fool the world anymore
USA is failing everywhere and blaming others has become its habit.
Bad news for country. Effective measures needed.
This is not a good news for Pakistan...economic sanctions or military sanctions will cause more problems
I am so sick and tired of listening to what US has to say. Once and for all get rid of this nuisance if we have dignity.
What about USA's own failure in Afghanistan and elsewhere? Will our foreign minister Mr. Nawaz Sharif respond to this report and take the nation into confidence? This nation appears to be headless left to the mercy of circumstances.
Stating the obvious.
US is lying. FO reject the report.
@salman "USA is failing everywhere and blaming others has become its habit." ... we still need to pay attention to this habit because this is going to affect as. Just this statement is not enough to move on.
The best way to save US forces is to end the mission and bring them home. No need to spend more time, money and US lives on Afghanistan which will never become a Switzerland.
Just scrap the friendship, the 2 main powers are Russia and China. USA has a record of blaming others for their failures. We should not have fought the Russians for the Americans and the West.
As usual, the reaction would be to close the eyes and dismiss the allegations, followed by the statements that the country has sacrificed a lot and has suffered more due to terrorism.
@WARRIs But US money is, very important
Their demands will never end and they will never be happy please focus on minus one formula.
@Kkl don't worry...this time China will help Pakistan.
After sixteen-years in Afghanistan, the US has still not been able to conquer enemies it created. When you cannot vanquish your manufactured enemies, even by dropping a MOAB, stop complaining and GET OUT!!! Take the example of late President Nixon. Salams
We know all about this ...... ... we can not finish them because in your philosophy "friends changed ,enemy changed and national interests never changed" in international relations.
@Shamas : Please worry about what USA is saying about your country, and not what it is not saying about other countries.
USA go away and mind your own business!
@BANGASH yes USA aid is welcome by your country.
We should learn few tactics of dealing with USA from North Korea.
Us should do more to dismantle ttp rather than pointing out others for the embarassing defeat
Plz provide full details ie USA has put Pakistan in the list of countries, which are safe haven for terrorists.
@badshah u only fight for money. Where ever there is money. U come and speak in the most despicable language in other forums outside Pak Mr Badshah
It seems every country in the world had a plan and approach towards Pakistan. It is yet to clear what is the plan it self for Pakistan .
USA failed in Afghanistan and now want some one to blame.
US should do away with Do More Theory. Pakistan is already doing much in fight against terror.
fed up of these repeated statements from US
This is a propaganda against Peace Loving Nation.
Stage is set for crippling sanctions against pakistan....
@Shamas That is a different issue. This report is on terrorism. Global leaders do not mix up everything. Pakistan needs to act, which they are doing, and lets face this reality.
The problem is that the dollar note smells good.
US Claiming themselves as a superpower of the world, they are in Afghanistan since more than 15 years what they achieved? They are only clever to put pressure and give threat to other countries and sell their Weapons. Why they are unable to act against North Korea, Vietnam etc, these countries are challenging them since many years. I know why because they will face another defeat like Iraq and Afghanistan.
@Abdulla Hussain Pakistan should do away with "we are doing so much " theory open your eyes to reality world is not blind "
@Daanish They will not because they are throwing Dollars in Pakistan's bowl.
good call US , this shows the work pak has in the world
us can not be prove a sincere friend , its is proved by the history of her relationship with other nations , believe or not "do more " policy will not be end unless they make you their obedient
I have a Sudanese friend whose children r graduating & studying hard to get admissions in US colleges. He is completely shattered by the new US travel ban on Sudanese. Similarly the good parents of hard working students in PAK will know the consequences of this move by US in the coming future. Other religious zealots & uneducated mass will continue to blame US for this.
@Roy James we don't care if US reject entry to Pakistani students. They can anyways go to China for higher studies, or N.Korea. USA education system will be losing on foreign income, and bright Pakistani students.
Accountability . No more free rides!
Block US access to Afghanistan completely, let them find another route. Thats not aid btw, thats money the US owes Pakistan for services it requested, its like not paying your restaurant tab for some lame excuse.
The US has shown ZERO evidence where these supposed Haqqani militants reside inside Pakistan? It could be that they ride on unicorns.
No USA. China is now our brother.
Pakistan should shake hand with Russia, and other strong allies.
Once CPEC is invested, Pakistan will be an advanced, developed country. So we just need to be patient for another 3 or 4 years, and then the US will not be important to us. We need to form strategic partnership with China and Sau.di Arabia. They are our real friends.