The US should scare Pakistan by keeping the option open for declaring it as a state sponsor of terrorism, top US think-tanks have recommended to the Trump administration, saying inducements alone cannot change Islamabad's current policies towards terrorism.
The think tanks in a report said that designating Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism is unwise in the first year of a new administration, but should be kept as an option for the longer term.
The report advises the Trump administration to "state up front that it intends to review the intelligence on Pakistani involvement in supporting terror much more critically than its predecessors", Dawn newspaper said.
They recommended the Trump use the policy of scaring Pakistan.
The report argues that US engagement with Pakistan must be based on a realistic appraisal of the country s policies, aspirations and worldview.
"The US must stop chasing the mirage of securing change in Pakistan's strategic direction by giving it additional aid or military equipment."
"It must be acknowledged that Pakistan is unlikely to change its current policies through inducements alone," the report said.