PAKISTAN'S BLEEDING CUTS

WASHINGTON: The United States said on Thursday  it was suspending at least US$ 900 million in security assistance to Pakistan until it takes action against Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network militant groups.

The US State Department announced the decision, saying it reflected President Donald Trump's administration's frustration that Pakistan had not done more against the two groups-

Which had long used sanctuaries in Pakistan to launch attacks in neighbouring Afghanistan that had killed US, Afghan and other forces.

It declined to say how much aid would be suspended, saying the numbers were being calculated and and included funding from the State and Defence departments.

PAKISTAN has long rejected accusations that it fails to tackle the militants battling the Kabul government and foreign forces from sanctuaries on the Pakistan side of the border.

It is largely shrugging off the proposed US aid cuts, but frets that Washington could take more drastic measures to deter what it sees as Pakistan's support for the Taliban.

Ties between the uneasy allies worsened on Monday when Trump lashed out on Twitter against Islamabad's ''Lies and Deceits'' despite US$33 billion in aid and the White House warned of  ''specific actions'' to pressure Pakistan.

Trump's frustrations are shared by some US lawmakers, who accused Pakistan of playing a double game by allowing militant groups sanctuaries, which Islamabad denies despite promising to crack down on them.