Pakistan's use of extremist and terrorist proxies is a significant contributor to the global menace of Islamic extremism, former top U.S diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad said, recommending that Pakistan should be listed as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Khalilzad said at the U.S House of Foreign Affairs Committee that Pakistan views the Taliban as an effective proxy to ensure Pakistani dominance over Afghanistan.

"Islamabad also believes that continuing the war in Afghanistan will lead to a U.S withdrawal which would change the balance of power against the current government and in favor of its proxies.
Ultimately, Pakistan seeks the overthrow of the current government in Afghanistan because it is not compliant," he said.

He believes that "Pakistani policy is the principal cause of the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. More broadly, Pakistan's use of extremist and terrorist proxies — including to threaten India — is a significant contributor to the global menace of Islamic extremism.

Khalilzad played a key role in shaping American policy towards Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq after 9/11.
"It must be confronted if we are to succeed in defeating terrorism and extremism around the world," he said.

The hearing titled 'Pakistan: Friend or Foe in the Fight Against Terrorism?' has been jointly convened by the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Non-Proliferation and Trade and Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.

Khalilzad alleged that since the overthrow of the Taliban regime after 9/11, Pakistan has been playing a perfidious and dangerous double game.

"It has portrayed itself as a U.S partner, yet supports the Taliban and the al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network. Since 2005, the Taliban and Haqqani network have regrouped in Pakistan and waged a devastating insurgency against U.S and Afghan forces," he said.

Pakistan understands that its double-game is risky, but it believes that the risk is manageable, he observed.

"Pakistani leaders reason that they can continue to receive U.S assistance and avoid international isolation even if they support the Taliban and Haqqani network. They have seen little evidence that Washington will force it to choose between U.S support and its alliance with the Taliban," he added.

Meanwhile, Ted Peo a Chairman of the U.S Congress said that Pakistan has a long ties with terrorist groups.

"Pakistan's long history of ties to terrorist groups, including those with American blood on their hands, is well documented. Pakistan's military intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), provide support to various terrorist organizations, including the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and the Haqqani network, in a bid to exert influence over Pakistan's regional rivals. In May 2016, the leader of the Afghan Taliban was killed in a U.S. drone strike while in Pakistan, reinforcing Pakistan's image as an unquestionable safe haven for terrorist groups," he said.

"In fact, in the most recent Country Reports on Terrorism, the State Department noted that Pakistan 'did not take substantial action against the Afghan Taliban or HQN [the Haqqani network.]' Despite the mounting evidence of Pakistan's collusion with global terrorism, Pakistan is among the leading recipients of U.S foreign assistance, with Congress appropriating more than $33 billion to Islamabad since 2002. This hearing will give Members the opportunity to learn more about Pakistan's longstanding ties to terrorist groups and allow for a more informed reassessment of U.S foreign policy priorities vis-à-vis Islamabad," he added.

Another Chairman Matt Salmon has confirmed that U.S spends tens of billions of taxpayer dollars in aid to Afghanistan since 9/11.

"The United States has spent tens of billions of taxpayer dollars in aid to Pakistan since 9/11. Now, fifteen years later, Pakistan's military and intel services are still linked to terrorist organizations and little success has been made to stabilize the region," Salmon said.

"We must take a closer look at U.S goals, expectations and our aid spending in the region. In this hearing, we will discuss the Administration's failed policy toward Pakistan and debate the best way forward," he added.

Click here to watch Khalilzad's full speech: