'US sees 'positive indicators' in Pakistan, but aid freeze to continue

Representational PicThe US have begun to see positive indicators from Pakistan for some time now a top general said today while clarifying that the freeze in American security aid to the country will continue as it is yet to take any decisive action against the Taliban and the Haqqani network Thats the current posture And I would imagine hopefully in the future well have an opportunity to review General Joseph Votel Commander of the US Central Command told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee when asked about the future of freeze of American security assistance to PakistanSo we remain in a posture of discontinuing that support to Pakistan inquired Indiana Senator Jim BanksVotel said the US has started to see an increase in communication information sharing and actions on the ground in response to specific US requestsThese are positive indicators he said adding that however ongoing national counterterrorism efforts against antiPakistan militants throughout the country have not yet translated into the definitive actions we require Pakistan to take against Afghan Taliban or Haqqani leadersThis problem is compounded by increasing crossborder terrorist attacks and fires between Pakistan and Afghanistan which hinders both countries abilities to coordinate on border security Votel saidThe US he said has preserved its valuable militarytomilitary relationship with Pakistan and attempted to increase transparency and communication with influential military leaders while pressing its serious concerns about the countrys provision of sanctuary and support to militant and terrorist groups that target the US personnel and interestsAchieving longterm stability in Afghanistan and defeating the insurgency will be difficult without Pakistans support and assistance he saidAlthough most security assistance for Pakistan is currently suspended since 2002 Pakistan has been among the largest recipients of US provided Foreign Military Financing FMF and International Military Education and Training IMET the general saidHe said to date Pakistan has also been reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars in Coalition Support Funds CSF for counterinsurgency operations that support US security objectives in the regionThe US uses ground and air routes in Pakistan to deliver materiel to Afghanistan he said adding that we also have options to utilize routes through the other Central Asian nationsResponding to a question from Senator Banks Votel said the pressure that the Trump Administration has put on Pakistan has contributed to the recent seen positive response from IslamabadI think what is also working right now is the approach that we have in place with them I think we have tried to be very clear in terms of the things that we Pakistan to do for us And what I have endeavoured to do not always in a public way but in a private way is develop a relationship that allows us to provide feedback both ways he saidThere are things frankly that Pakistan has asked from the US as well he said So this is a twoway street here It is my responsibility to make sure that we have feedback loops in place that go back and forth between the things that were doing to try support each other and moving forward in that regard Volte saidHe said it was important to recognise that Pakistan as a country has suffered greatly from terrorism perhaps as much as anybody in the region or maybe as anybody around the world They have taken a number of measures to address terrorism within their borders the general saidThat has contributed over the years to some increased security in the area And we have to recognise at up front So our approach is to continue to be engaged with them We want to have a candid discussion We want to have frequent communication We want to build trust in this relationship Votel saidCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever