Cracking down on Haqqani network and Taliban, the United States has imposed sanctions on six militants linked to the two outfits, days after President Donald Trump announced a massive cut in the aid given to Pakistan for failing to curb terrorism.
The two men from Pakistan and four from Afghanistan—at present residing in Pakistan—have been barred from accessing any US aid, the US Treasury Department said.
The four Taliban leaders include Abdul Samad Sani, Abdul Qadeer Basir, Abdul Baseer, Hafiz Mohammed Popalzai, and Maulawi Inayatullah, while Haqqani Network leaders as Faqir Muhammad and Gula Khan Hamidi.
All six have been designated as global terrorists by the US’ department of treasury. As a result, all property and interests in property of these persons subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and the US citizens are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
President Trump began the New Year with a stinging attack on long-standing ally Pakistan, saying it will get no more US aid as it was giving “safe haven to terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan”.
“The US has foolishly given Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools,” Trump tweeted in his strongest denunciation of Islamabad.
“They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!” he added.
Trump’s announcement followed an increasingly tense back-and-forth between Washington and Islamabad after the US President unveiled his administration’s National Security Strategy.
He had then reminded Pakistan about its obligation towards helping the US because it got “massive payments” from Washington every year.
Pakistan is also accused by Afghanistan and India of harbouring terrorists ranged against the two countries. Islamabad routinely denies such charges.
(With inputs from agencies)