WASHINGTON:The United States is preparing to blacklist the Pakistan-based Haqqani network as early as Friday, the New York Times said on its website, quoting unidentified American officials. US officials have accused the Haqqanis of high-profile attacks, including on the US Embassy in Kabul and a truck bombing that wounded dozens of US troops.

Designation by the state department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization would bring sanctions such as criminal penalties for anyone providing material support to the group and seizure of any assets in the United States. The New York Times said senior officials who argued against blacklisting the group were concerned it could further damage relations with Pakistan and possibly jeopardize the fate of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl who is being held by the militants.