Clinton says Pakistan needs to 'do more' on militancy

Pakistan needs to make sure its territory is not used as a launching pad for terrorist attacks, says Clinton.


Agencies May 08, 2012

NEW DELHI: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Tuesday on Pakistan to do more to crack down on violent extremism, a day after she said al Qaeda chief Ayman al Zawahiri was believed to be hiding there.

"Combating violent extremism is something we all agree on. We look to the government of Pakistan to do more," Clinton said during a press conference at the end of a trip to India.

"It needs to make sure that its territory is not used as a launching pad for terrorist attacks anywhere, including inside of Pakistan because the great unfortunate fact is that terrorists in Pakistan have killed more than 30,000 Pakistanis."

Clinton said that the US was "cooperating closely with India regarding the threats that emanate against them."

Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna also stressed "the need for stronger action from Pakistan on terrorism, including on bringing to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attacks."

As well as saying Zawahiri was in Pakistan, Clinton on Monday had pressed Islamabad over the presence of the Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed who is wanted over the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The United States last month offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the conviction of Saeed.

Speaking in Kolkata, Clinton said she was "well aware" that the Pakistani government had not yet taken steps to help secure Saeed's conviction.

"We're going to be pushing that," she said.

Reacting to Clinton’s claim about the presence of Zawahiri in Pakistan, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar had asked Washington on Monday  to share with Islamabad if it knows the whereabouts of the al Qaeda kingpin.

______________________________________________

[poll id="745"]

COMMENTS (69)

Zainab | 11 years ago | Reply

Answer should be simple n to the point "NO MORE".

himidik. | 11 years ago | Reply

isnt she right. mrs khar?

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ