Pakistan will take action against militants on "actionable intelligence": spokesman

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Thursday rejected U.S. allegations that it has provided sanctuaries to Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network, saying Pakistani forces will take action on "actionable intelligence" about the presence of the militants on Pakistani soil.

"We have repeatedly said that Pakistan will take action on the basis of any actionable intelligence or information provided to us. We have conveyed to the U.S. that actionable intelligence sharing can help in advancing the shared goal of defeating terrorism from the region," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Muhammad Faisal said.

"We have repeatedly said that we will take action against any terrorist element, in Pakistan, if actionable intelligence is shared with us. Similarly, Pakistan expects that the Afghan side will also do the same so that the menace of terrorism, which is a global phenomenon, can be rooted out," Faisal said at a weekly briefing.

To a question about the suspension of security assistance to Pakistan by the United States, he said the decision is a "unilateral step by the U.S., which would have its negative implications for the stability of the region."

"On our part, we have stated that we do not seek U.S. assistance. Pakistan's commitment to continue its counter-terrorism and law enforcement actions throughout the country will continue in our national interest, irrespective of any suspension of foreign assistance," he said.

Pakistan-U.S. relationship has been tense following President Donald Trump's Tweet on Jan. 1 in which he accused Pakistan of giving "safe haven" to terrorists in Afghanistan despite receiving U.S. aid.

Pakistani leaders rejected the U.S. claims of aid and insisted the money given to Pakistan was reimbursement of the part of the cost of ground facilities and air corridors used by the United States for its operations in Afghanistan and not any financial aid or assistance.

The foreign ministry spokesman further said Pakistan has been facilitating the U.S.-led mission in Afghanistan through its ground and air lines of communication for the last 16 years, adding Pakistan's support to the United States has been critical in dealing with terrorism in the region.

He said Pakistan and the United States will continue to communicate with each other on various issues of mutual interest at different levels. Enditem