Clinton says Pakistan needs to 'do more' on militancy
"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)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1725612926-0/Tribune-Pic-(8)1725612926-0-165x106.webp "article")
Answer should be simple n to the point "NO MORE".
isnt she right. mrs khar?
It is easy to see why Pakistani citizens hate the "do more" phrase. They seem to be fighting the terrorists for over 10 years now. But what Pakistan has been fighting are NOT the terrorists proscribed by the UNSC resolution but militants engaged in sectarian violence and an in-grown Islamic militant group called the TTP. From the US point of view, Pakistan is seen to be supporting the Afghan Taliban and doing nothing against their havens. From Pakistan's point of view, they have been fighting terrorists but mostly local ones.
@j. von hettlingen: He is in Berlin.
Oh thats ok she said this in India - it was probably to ask the Indians to invest in USA
before doing more they need to first START doing anything about terrorism...
@Harry Stone Re USAMA : Because.
;
@Chilli: "You planted these extremist to fight soviets and now left Pakistan alone to fight".....and seriously who told Pakistan to back USA back then ???? Why did Pakistan let it;s citizen be radicalized at first place ???? Fact is radicalization started before Soviet war by Pakistani Army's doctrine against India. Zia Ul Haq just took opportunity of Soviet Afghan war to boost his program, get weapons and money from USA and quickly turn Pakistani Army in radicalized mercenary with a badge.
De Ja Vu.... She is right but she is biased.
Silly me. I always thought the Americans, with lots of help from people like Hilary, invented violent extremism. Then they taught violent extremism to various militant groups on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border to combat the Russians. The Americans did not complain when it happened to Russians invaders, but now they never stop winging because it is happening to American invaders. Even worse, the Americans are blaming Pakistan for the problems America created. I think in the coin tossing business it is called "heads I win, tails you loose". Incidentally, and I do not wish to become involved in the India/Pakistan feud, does it sound as though America/India are ganging up on Pakistan over this militancy business? I think Hilary should be careful. She needs Pakistan's help more than India's doesn't she?.
I guess this is desperation at its best and anger about NATO supplies remaining shut.
The people do not want reopening of NATO supplies.
Does the U.S. know exactly where the Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri is? If yes, go after him! It's quite unlikely that he's still hiding in the mountainous regions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border with the help of sympathetic local tribes. Bin Laden had warned his brothers-in-law to abandon this region, due to frequent drone attacks there. Al Zawahiri might have returned to the Sinai Peninsula or the Arabian Peninsula. He might even be in Libya or in the Islamic Maghreb.
Sad to see the emotional statements of Pakistanis without understanding the gravity of the situation! We surely have a death wish which probably will come true.
Madam, how can a 65 years Old Do More? To do more one needs energy and that is only with you. Moreover we are terrorist free country and only spread love both abroad and between our own communities.
Obviously, my heart goes out to the young soldiers fighting actual extremists. But honestly, the top military establishment really doesn't seem to care about the future of this country. Someone needs to tell them that there are bigger things to worry about than an imminent take over from India
I honestly blame the army the most for our political misfortunes. Obviously us as Pakistanis need to become better human beings first but seriously, the army has really screwed this country up. They can protect us from outside forces or corrupt leaders and then they randomly waltz in, take control and fill their pockets even more than they already are now.
We all are asking the same from our government / law enforcement agencies, but we ask as we have suffered more. So what if Clinton is asking our politicians/ military to do more, she has the same message somewhat same reasons, so lets not take this personal.
And for all the hippocrats around; do as you believe and say. Do not vote the same people back into parliament, vote for a new option and don't forget to vote! Btw 99% of Pakistan is not living on blogs and they vote based on their personal not national interest.
Still Pakistan Zindabad!
@Mujahid torwali:
You have missed to add: We have sacrificed our 30,000 men in this war. We have lost $50 billion in economy. You americans have sent weapons and terrorists from Afghanistan and ask us Pakistan to do more. You came to Afghanistan just to ruined Islamic Republic of Nuclear Pakistan and nothing else. America has spoken such sweet language at the time of asking to join with the war on terror that we will not leave you alone and we trusted you although we dont want to as we have heard this phrase before. Obama promised to help in resolving the Kashmir dispute in his election campaign. What happened to do? You America have to do more on that. You have to tell the truth to the world that you have not given aid but you have given to us some compensation of our losses but you have to do more to compensate or billions of dollar losses.
Control over the sentiments, consider the ground realities, they can take you to stone age, table is better option resolving the issues.
Pakistan is facing war inside, corrupt political leaders sucking blood of the nation, embattled prime minister has been convicted and now stand on the brink of disqualification.
Power crisis has become thunderstorm with hail for our economy.gas has also disappeared,people at the roads in form of protest processions.
In such circumstances are talking about the behave of single super power, what you think, impossible ,impossible.
ayesha_khan's comments are always MUST READ ++1 KUDOS to her
They want India to not buy from Iran so they will make all the right noises. The right noises being:
pakistan bad china bad silence on kashmir
pakistan simply needs to see this as an opportunity to strengthen ties with iran who have learned their lesson from their saffron allies.
Mahmood:
Did this happen without the permission & action of Pakistani Army? US provided funds back in 1980s (30 years back), but everything else was done by Pakistan. What has stopped Pakistan from rooting out this evil for 30 yrs hence? So, majority of blame lies with Pakistan.
Besides, What would you have US do other than asking Pakistan to do more? Get rid of the terrorists themselves - well they are doing that too - OBL was taken out by them because Pakistan doesn't seem to be doing.
If Pakistan continues to turn a blind eye to likes of Hafeez Saeed, sooner or later other countries will move in to action. You can't have a cesspool generating mosquitoes in your house and refuse to clear it and not let other's clear it.. Those mosquitoes are biting people out side of your compound as well.
@ayesha_khan: you nailed it. well said.
@Acorn Guts: " I believe the biggest hurdle will be our own Finance Ministry though."
It isn't your finance ministry - it is Rawalpindi which is in a hurry.
@Chilli: "You planted these extremist to fight soviets and now left Pakistan alone to fight. Greed and Selfishness is the hallmark of US."
1.You put 100% of the blame on the Haqqani/Afghan Taliban on the US and take no accountability. But the fact is that US supported mujahideen which included Northern Alliance. Then when there was a civil war in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Suadi Arabia supported Afghan Taliban NOT USA. In fact only KSA, UAE and Pakistan even recognized the Afghan Taliban government.
When it comes to the terrorists that you pushed into India throughout the 1990s, they had nothing to do with US. It was your mosques which collected funds to support LeT, JeM etc.@Its (still) Econonmy Stupid:
It is the new reality that PAK has created for itself.
@Usama:
Why?
There is no chances of visiting Pakistan mother in law looks no such mood, ok, let her go to home land.
Apology is essential for opening the routs of supply.
Secretary Clinton isn't just speaking for the U.S. Under post-9/11 U.N. Security Council Resolution 1373 (Chapter VII resolution) Pakistan has the binding sovereign obligation to root out terrorists, terrorist havens, and terror financing. There are no qualifications so picking and choosing terrorists to support or not is a no-no: under international law Pakistan sacrifices its sovereignty in this regard.
@Ahmer Ali: Yeah Pakistan has done so much to create terrorism world over . We should be ashamed of making such a statements of sacrifice . We started encouraging terrorist networks now when they have gone out our hands and started turning against us so its so easy to talk about sacrifices. We all know army used terrorists for their so called strategic objective.
@Acorn Guts: In an another article: Clinton’s trip coincided with a visit by an Iranian trade delegation, which was in Delhi to discuss trade via a rupee mechanism set up to skirt sanctions. US officials played down the timing."
US may be negotiating access to AF via Chahbahar port!
Not to long ago american politicians were obligated to visit India and Pakistan back to back. In those days it was highly watched event what american politicain said in Pakistan after the visit to Pakistan. Times have changed now americans only visit India and say whatever they have to say to Pakistan from India and pakistanis react to that.
@Amir: Dear Amir u have guts to accept mistakes.A support of the true Indian will always be for you. this is the link of inspirational video link for u and for your lovable countrymen.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFXnaEhwckg I hope you guys can do much better than now to save your country from the hands of conservative and fundamentalist thinkers.
@pakistani: We will not move an inch closer to pakistan in our hearts as long as you have Hafiz Sayeed as your state guest. I am hearing through different media channels that hafiz sayeed could also be nominated as the President of Pakistan.
@Mujahid torwali: Tell me what has Pakistan done other then giving supply routes, If it had done some thing to establish its own control on its own area then this do more would not have arisen. Honorable people that Pakistanis are(No sarcasm involved what i have said is with great respect), Why would they want the world to tell them to do more to control their own land! this i cant understand, is it so difficult for the mighty 6th largest army to do?
The Americans are unreliable and are double-standard people. They want sacrifice of Pakistan not the people of Pakistan.
Whenever Pakistan and India come closer or make steps towards building friendly relations THESE ENEMIES jump in and starts pressurising India and criticizing Pakistan. When our president was going to India they raised the issue of Hafiz Saeed now when the two countries are looking forward for trade and business THEY again jumped in and now blaming that Al qaeda leader is present here in Pakistan. :S
As long as the terrorists we cultivate do some damage to our neighbors, we are happy. Doesn't matter how many of our own they claim.
Mrs Clinton, Pakistan govt is not interested in containing terrorists
Make sure that the drones "Do More"
Why should Clinton's advice be taken only as Military job. Pak can do a lot more to correct their false history and lies in their curriculam, systematically remove religious bigotry, reduce and eliminate corruption, control madressahs and hate mongering mullahs, strengthen democratic institutions and empower them, increase educational funding and women's education, ban hate literature, speed up judicial system etc etc. I am sure all these will contribute their bits in containing terrorism. But the major benefits will be a better society and country to live in. Think about it. You will agree
@Be realistic - nice speech keep it up. also look for another name for commenting ET as it does not really suit you unless you assume watching hatered spread against Pakistan vide western media is the real world
@ashok sai, such time will never come....sorry to tell you but this will be another of your unfulfilled dream.
The first step to countering extremism is to kick out US from this region.
Dear clinton! For how long ? For how long we should do? If there is any end? Cuz am listening, hearing, watching and reading this words(DO MORE) again and again...
It is every country's privilege to choose to do or not do certain things, notwithstanding the world opinion. However it does have to deal with the repercussion of its choices. So when Pakistan does decide to do or not do 'more', I am sure it will take that decision keeping the best interest of Pakistanis in mind.
Well what she is saying is correct. What exactly have we done? We habe allowed banned outfits, whom the world has recognized as terroist organization (and the outfit themself glorfied), to change their name and emerge with new names. Our own internal sectarism is fested with such organization. There is no tolerance for minorities. We are at each other throat at slightest instance.
So yes we need to DO MORE.
Unless we are seeing doing something (not just Waziristan, or Swat, etc), we will be badgered.
@SaQiB: Probably because Pakistan is quite skilled in promising things and then doing nothing. Terrorists are killing your own people and you still want to negotiate with them. Loss of life through terrorist attacks is a non issue in Pakistan and is considered normal and acceptable. Its sad how little Pakistan values its own people.
In general people are treated like canon fodder. 10 people die, 100 soldiers die, 30,000 people die. Nobody cares and thinks maybe we need to take care of the problems on our soil. Its always the boogiemans fault or some CIA, RAW, Mossad conspiracy or if the US didnt come into Afghanistan life in Pakistan would be like in Monaco. Please get real and confront the problem head-one and stop making excuses.
this chant will go on and on unless and until Pakistani government really started protecting our sovereignty.
I guess the hushed negotiations behind the scenes really haven't worked out and US is now about to turn up the heat several notches.
All the more evidence that US is missing the supple routes through Pakistan badly. Hope our FO can steer the situation in Pakistan's favour now that US is getting desperate. I believe the biggest hurdle will be our own Finance Ministry though.
Indeed Pakistan has to do more in order to avoid losses internally and externally. I remember Pakistan denied the presence of Bin Laden in Pakistan persistently for 10 years or so and in the end he found to be in the close vicinity of Pak Army. Pakistan is safe heaven for the terrorists, why? Why all the scoundrels who are viewed as worthless by their own countries, come to Pakistan and deteriorate the order in our beloved Pakistan? Why they don't carry out their pathetic activities in their own boundaries? Soveregnity doesn't hold upto onseself only, it also means to respect other sovereign states. Learn to give respect first in order to have it.
'Do more' American diplomats love this word but it always applicable on others.
So says the nation that helped the terrorists build a foundation in Pakistan. Convenient blind eye... Who suffers in the end? The common Pakistani citizen.
@ashok sai: Whenever I read your comment, I get firm on the idea that hate always crushes positive thinking and therefore the outcome is definitly ‘NOT’ broad and worthy as it should be otherwise.
No do more when US itself is holding secret talks with Taliban and wants Pakistan to keep fighting. The US will vanish from Afghanistan in 2014 and Pakistan once again will left behind to face the wrath of various Taliban groups.
Excuse me, but the women is right. It is about time that the 'deep state' broke its links with 'strategic assets'. Just refer to the 'pacts' that the government has with Taliban groups in FATA. Why does the Government allow states within state, is it too weak to deal with them?
I've my sympathy with Hillary. Pakistanis are so annoying & non-cooperative.
Poor Hillary. Whenever she's in India, she's forced to utter something like this & disown later.
True that if one starts saying truth, most of problems are solved.
Still any doubt that Pakistan needs to “do more”…? Of course Pakistan has failed to tackle growing Jihadi ideology/intolerance and strategic assets "mind-set". Its not only American war its their war too...
You have to DO MORE on salala incident. Expect cooperation from Pakistan only after you have accepted your part of responsibility.
For that, US needs to 'do more' for Pakistan
to do more one first has to "start".
There should be no discussion on NATO supply whether to resume or stop, let this issue should not be discussed. America Should focus on other issues. There should be complete red signal from Pakistan government regarding NATO Supply.
This woman is obsessed with the "DO MORE" term...........
"fact is that terrorists in Pakistan have killed more than 30,000 Pakistanis"
Even if it is 3 million Pakistanis they don't mind, those are all peanuts considering the value of their strategic assets. Time will come one day where only assets will be there in Pakistan.
You planted these extremist to fight soviets and now left Pakistan alone to fight. Greed and Selfishness is the hallmark of US.
Mrs. Hilary Clinton when the US' leaders shall confess the sacrifices of Pakistan say that "Pakistan has done very much and a lot and now needs no more to do"??????
oh my. I've been missing the 'do more' rants on here. yay