Pakistan, US resolve to act against all terror groups

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States have reiterated their resolve to act against militants that target Pakistan and Afghanistan, says the Foreign Office.

Ambassador Alice G. Wells, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs called on the Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

According to Foreign Office, this is Ambassador Wells second visit to Pakistan this year aimed at continuing the conversation to strengthen bilateral relations and promote peace & security in the region.

“Pakistan and the US reiterate their firm commitment to act against all militants that sabotage peace efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

Foreign Secretary also apprised the visiting delegation of the continued ceasefire violations by India that undermined stability of the region.

Pakistan’s position that a comprehensive dialogue was the only way forward for civilized nations to resolve outstanding issues was reiterated.

She held discussions with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and later with Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Nasser Khan Janjua.

During the meeting at Pakistan Foreign Ministry, Wells and Janjua reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional issues, particularly Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office statement said both sides agreed that the momentum of the peace initiative unveiled in Kabul by President Ashraf Ghani, and followed up in Tashkent, needs to be carried forward.

Mechanisms for return of refugees and strengthening border management were also discussed.

Noting that the US and Pakistan had a long track record of cooperation, Wells emphasized the importance of working together to achieve the common objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

Later, Wells discussed bilateral relations and the situation in Afghanistan with the national security adviser.

The NSA stressed that Pakistan and the US had a common cause in seeking early closure to the decades-old conflict in Afghanistan.

“Nasser Janjua apprised Ambassador Wells about his recent visit to Kabul where he had in-depth, positive and constructive discussions with President Ashraf Ghani and other senior government officials,” the NSA office said.

Janjua once again welcomed President Ghani’s peace offer and termed it as a great opportunity to end a perpetual conflict.He called it as a “light at the other side of the tunnel”. The NSA said that Pakistan, with all the regional countries and the US, will support the new peace initiative.

“Wells agreed on the need to support President Ghani’s peace offer and to make efforts for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan through political reconciliation,” the statement said.

US policy on Afghanistan, Wells explained, was also meant to ultimately bring the insurgents to the peace table for negotiations on finding a peaceful and enduring solution.

The acting assistant secretary was accompanied by the US ambassador in Islamabad, David Hale.