The U.S. State Department has placed Pakistan on a “Special Watch List” for "severe violations of religious freedom," at the same time it announced cuts to security assistance to that country.
"The protection of religious freedom is vital to peace, stability, and prosperity. These designations are aimed at improving the respect for religious freedom in these countries," a State Department statement said on Thursday, as the United States re-designated 10 other nations as "countries of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act.
State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert confirmed on Thursday that Washington is suspending security assistance to Pakistan till Islamabad takes actions against terrorist organizations, including the Haqqani Network.
Earlier this week, the White House said Islamabad would have to do more to combat terrorism to receive U.S. aid. The Pakistani ambassador to Washington, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, while speaking to VOA, called for the two countries to remain engaged with each other and avoid steps that could create tensions and destabilize the region.