Pak's status as privileged ally in question, says US

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned Tuesday that Pakistan's privileged status as a major non-Nato US ally could be in question if it continues to give safe haven to extremists.

"We have some leverage," Tillerson told reporters, "in terms of aid, their status as a non-Nato alliance partner -- all of that can be put on the table."

Pakistan is one of 16 countries to currently enjoy "major non-Nato ally" status, which is not a mutual defense pact like the Atlantic alliance, but allows close military cooperation.

On Monday, President Donald Trump sternly rebuked Pakistan for supporting groups like the Taliban and the Haqqani network, which launch cross-border raids on US and Afghan troops.

And he suggested Pakistan will suffer consequences if it does not get behind a renewed US effort to help Kabul repel the Taliban and force them to negotiate a political settlement, reported AFP.

On Tuesday, Tillerson met journalists to brief them on the details of the strategy, and to lay out what Islamabad might expect if it does not fall into line.

"The president has been clear that we are going to attack terrorists wherever they live," Tillerson said.

"We have put people on notice that if you're providing safe haven to terrorists, be warned -- we are going to engage those providing safe haven and ask them to change what they are doing."

Meanwhile, Pakistan rejected yesterday US criticism of its efforts to fight terrorism saying it should not be used as a "scapegoat" for the failure of the US military to win the war in Afghanistan, reported Reuters.