US to label Haqqanis ‘terrorists’
The US has formally designated the Pakistan-based Haqqani network as a terrorist group, a key move that officials say could both pressurise Islamabad to act militarily against the outfit and further damage the already frail bilateral ties.
The US has formally designated the Pakistan-based Haqqani network as a terrorist group, a key move that officials say could both pressurise Islamabad to act militarily against the outfit and further damage the already frail bilateral ties.
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton formally designated the militant network as a terrorist organisation in a report to the Congress today, the New York Times said. The report said Clinton signed the order in Brunei before leaving for the annual Asia Pacific Economic Conference.
US officials debated the move for a month, fearing that it could worsen the alliance with Pakistan. A senior Pakistani security official said Friday that any decision to blacklist the Haqqani network as terrorists will negatively impact relations with Pakistan.