Terrorists have safe havens in Pakistan, Afghanistan: US

Speaking in a news briefing the spokesperson stated that terrorists are a threat to the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He added that United States is cooperating with Pakistan in hunting down terrorists. He further said that the two countries have critically important bilateral relationship.

Pakistan’s bilateral ties with the United States have recently took a downward turn when the US government asked the country to finance the purchase of F-16 fighter jets deal with its own sources instead of the United States financial assistance after members of the U.S. Congress objected to the use of government funds to pay for the military deal.

The U.S. government said in February that it had approved the sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan built by Lockheed Martin Corp, as well as radars and other equipment in a deal valued at $699 million.

Republican Senator Bob Corker said he would use his power as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to bar the use of any U.S. funds for the deal to send a message to Pakistan that it needed to do more in the war against militants.

The State Department spokesperson also said that US wishes to see the Pak-Afghan Torkham border remain open for traffic.

It should be noted that Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to reopen Torkham border crossing for vehicles coming in and going out, and resumption of routine activities.

The border crossing was closed in the wake of escalating tensions between security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghanistan opposing installation of barbed wire fencing along the border being conducted by Pakistan to prevent illegal movement on the border.