Pak would do the right thing to ‘turn over’ terrorists, hopes US

The US on Friday hoped that Pakistan would do the “right thing” to “turn over” the terrorists and honour its commitment, a senior Trump administration official said.

The US had shared with Pakistan a list wanted terrorists from groups like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Harakatul Mujahideen that it believes are operating from its soil to target India and Afghanistan, reports PTI.

“I have a feeling, I am hopeful that Pakistan will do the right thing and turn over the terrorists and honour their commitment,” Steven Goldstein, the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs told reporters at a news conference here.

Responding to questions, Goldstein said the US has so far not heard from Pakistan on its reported decision to suspend its military and intelligence cooperation with it in retaliation of the Trump administration’s decision to freeze all its security assistance.

“We would hope that Pakistan would come to the table and that they would turn over those terrorists that we have asked be turned over. We’ve indicated very clearly that we believe that can happen,” Goldstein said. The US, he said, has only suspended the aid; and the money has not been reallocated.

“So now it is the job of Pakistan to take seriously their commitment to us, and most importantly to the people of Pakistan who would most be hurt by this, by any terrorist activity, and come forward. So, our position hasn’t changed. They have not yet come forward,” Goldstein said.

At a separate news conference, the Pentagon said that Pakistan has the ability to address terrorist threat inside the country.