US looking at tools at its disposal to convince Pak to crack down on terrorist groups: report

A senior US official has said that the focus of the administration level discussions has not been on designating Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, rather how to use other tools at its disposal to convince Pakistan that it is in its interest to crack down on terrorist groups.

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New Delhi: The United States of America is looking at all the possible tools at its disposal to convince Islamabad that it is in its interest to crack down on terrorist group, except for designating Pakistan as state sponsor of terrorism. In a report by news agency PTI,  a senior US official has been quoted saying  that the focus of the administration level discussions has not been on designating Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, rather how to use other tools at its disposal to convince Pakistan that it is in its interest to crack down on terrorist groups. "Pakistan has a stark choice: Cooperate and enjoy the benefits of close relationship with the U.S. and the rest of the world, or face international isolation if it chooses not to change its behaviour," the official was quoted as saying by PTI. US has been focusing on dealing with Pakistan on terrorism-related issue. Recently US president Donald Trump had slammed Pakistan saying that it does not do a “damn thing” for the US and defended the suspension of the USD 3.5 bullion financial aid to the country. He reiterated that till the time Islamabad changes its behaviour his administration will continue to suspend all assistance to it. "I want Pakistan to help us. We're no longer paying USD1.3 billion to Pakistan. We're paying them nothing because that's what they've done to help us. Nothing," President Trump told reporters at the White House on November 20. Previously on November 18, Trump had slammed Pakistan for not informing US about 9/11 terrorist Osama Bin Laden’s presence in the country. Trump alleged that people in Pakistan knew that Osama bin Laden was living in a mansion near their garrison city of Abbottabad, but they did not tell the US and kept on accepting billions of dollars in aid. At the same time, he said that his administration hopes to have a "good relationship" with Pakistan. Currently four countries have been designated as state sponsor of terrorism. These are Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. Recent media reports suggests that US is considering Venezuela in this list. However, in its latest Country Report on Terrorism, the State Department listed Pakistan among countries that provide safe havens to terrorists.