To avoid economical woes, Imran must 'reset' Pak ties with world: US Congressman Bera

"Pakistan did the right thing by releasing the downed pilot (Wg Cdr Abhinandan). This de-escalated a dangerous situation but more has to be done. Prime Minister Imran Khan should use this opportunity to reset his country’s relationship with the world and chart a new course for Pakistan," Ami Bera, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, wrote in an article.

It can start with cracking down on JeM and other terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was responsible for the terrible attack on Mumbai in 2008, he said.

"Prime Minister Khan can help Pakistan earn enormous goodwill by tracking down and bringing to justice Azhar, whom the Pakistani Foreign Minister indicated was alive, with his whereabouts known. They can further that goodwill by dismantling the terrorist networks that operate within Pakistan," said the Democratic Party leader.

Mr Bera further wrote: "These actions are in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1267. If Khan does not take these steps, I am afraid Pakistan will continue to slide into international isolation, which will only serve to increase economic hardship on the Pakistani people".

Meanwhile, MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar said the resolution for designating JeM chiefMasood Azhar has been already moved in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by France, the US and the United Kingdom.

He also mentioned that UNSC has earlier unanimously condemned Pulwama terror attack.

"All members of UNSC are aware of presence of JeM training camps in Pakistan and also that JeM chief Masood Azhar is also there," he said adding "we call upon all UNSC members to declare Masood Azhar a designated terrorist".