US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis to visit Pakistan next week

Pakistan denies sheltering the militants, and the issue has emerged as a major irritant to bilateral ties.

In October, Mattis had said the US would try “one more time” to work with Pakistan before taking “whatever steps are necessary” to address its alleged support for the militants.

During his Pakistan visit, Mattis is expected to meet Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Early this week, Gen John Nicholson, the commander of the US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan, rued that Pakistan has not been able to carry out the counterterrorism actions which it promised to the Trump administration after the announcement of the new South Asia Strategy.

The US is also outraged at the release of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest in Pakistan.

The Trump Administration had said his release belies Pakistan’s claim that it is not a sanctuary for terrorists.