All options on the table: White House

washington — The US is keeping “all options” on the table apart from suspending about $2 billion in security aid to Pakistan to put pressure on it to take decisive action against the Taleban and the Haqqani network and eliminate their safe havens, the White House warned on Saturday.

“The US does have a range of tools that we’re looking at beyond just the security assistance issue to deal with Pakistan and to try to convince it to crack down on the Taleban and Haqqani network,” a Trump administration official told reporters.

“Certainly no one should doubt the US resolve to address this threat and all options I would say will be on the table,” said the official on condition of anonymity.

However, the official refrained from divulging any of the options that the administration is considering against Pakistan.

“I’m not able to comment on specific steps at this time. But nobody

We would restore the aid if we see decisive movements against the terrorists, who are as much of a threat against Pakistan as they are against us Jim Mattis, Defence Secretary

should doubt our resolve in trying to address these threats. We’re looking at all options. We hope that we can cooperate with Pakistan. But we do have options that we’re considering,” the official said.

The US wants action against the Taleban and the Haqqani network and demolish its ability to carry out strikes across the border in Afghanistan, the official said and expressed hope that Pakistan would take actions that the US was seeking.

Trump’s new policy, the official said, is driven by his desire to have a successful strategy in Afghanistan.

I’m not able to comment on specific steps at this time. But nobody should doubt our resolve to address these threats. We’re looking at all options White House official

“We firmly believes that for the future of the region, Pakistan needs to crack down on these terrorist elements. Unless they take a comprehensive approach to the terrorism problem it is going to threaten US interests and everybody’s interests including Pakistan’s,” the official said.

He said the announcement of the suspension of the security assistance to Pakistan clearly reflected the US’ frustration over Pakistan’s failure to crack down on all terrorists who find shelter on its territory.

Responding to a question, the official said US has “a number of tools in its toolkit” and can “take unilateral” steps. But at this time, the US prefers to cooperate with Pakistan and is hopeful about it, the official said.

“And we want to indicate Pakistan our seriousness about the issue of dealing with safe havens,” the official said.

Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said the US would restore the suspended security assistance to Pakistan if it takes action against terrorist groups.

“We would restore the aid if we see decisive movements against the terrorists, who are as much of a threat against Pakistan as they are against us,” Mattis told reporters.

The US is still working with Pakistan, he said.

“The specific individual things we’re doing are best handled in private, to ensure that we can be most productive. And that’s what we’re working now,” he said. — PTI