Pak must do more against extremists groups like Lashkar: Clinton - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Pressing Pakistan to do ‘more’ against terror groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that Islamabad’s support in the Afghan war is ‘critical’ for the success of the international effort to destroy and dismantle the Al-Qaeda and Taliban network in the region. Speaking at a reception hosted by the American Pakistan Foundation here, Clinton , while acknowledging the Pakistan Army’s offensive against Taliban in Swat and South Waziristan, said Islamabad must carry on its efforts against the extremists. “There are other terrorist groups who have set up camps in Pakistan , where they are plotting global attacks and waging a war against the troops from 42 nations who comprise the international security assistance forces in Afghanistan ,” Clinton said. “ Pakistan has a critical role and an abiding interest in helping this international effort, and we will continue to encourage the Pakistani government to take affirmative steps toward the goal of disrupting, dismantling, and defeating al-Qaeda and the other terrorist groups responsible for so much suffering in Pakistan and around the world,” she added. Referring to her recent visit to the troubled nation, the top US diplomat said the Obama administration is trying hard to reduce anti-America sentiment in Pakistan both with words and with deeds. “One of the main goals of my trip was to reach out to a broad community of Pakistanis to hear their needs, hopes, and concerns, and to ensure that the United States is on the right track in our efforts to build a stronger partnership. This is a key goal of the Obama Administration’s foreign policy, and it is a personal priority for President Obama and for me,” The News quoted Clinton , as saying.