Donald Trump wants Pakistan to end selective support to terrorists: NSA HR McMaster

United States President Donald Trump wants Pakistan to change its policy of selectively supporting certain militant groups, his national security advisor, General HR McMaster, said in an interview this weekend.

McMaster called Pakistan's policy "paradoxical" noting that Pakistan has taken "great losses" in the fight against terrorism, yet at the same time has been selective in fighting against terror groups. "They [Pakistan] have fought very hard against these groups, but they've done so really only selectively," McMaster said.

McMaster, who was speaking to the conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on MSNBC, "change in behavior" from those involved in the Afghanistan region, particularly Pakistan.

"The president has also made clear that he, that we need to see a change in in behaviour of those in the region, which includes those who are providing safe haven and support bases for the Taliban, Haqqani Network and others," McMaster, was quoted by MSNBC as saying.

"This is Pakistan in particular that we want to... that we want to really see a change in and a reduction of their support for these groups," he said, in response to a question on Afghanistan and terrorism in the region," the NSA added.

McMaster added that Trump was clear that the US would no longer "tolerate" any support for the Taliban or relatedgroups. "Of course, you know, a very paradoxical situation, right, where Pakistan is taking great losses. They have foughtvery hard against these groups, but they've done so really only selectively."

McMaster's comments, which echo something that India and Afghanistan have long accused Pakistan of, come against the backdrop of Washington increasing pressure on Islamabad to end support for terrorist elements.

Pakistan has time and again denied the suggestion that it is 'selective' in its fight against terrorism, but several US officials have previously accused Islamabad of helping terrorists.

McMaster's interview, however, marked the first time that such an allegation was attributed directly to President Trump.

(With inputs from agencies)

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