A file photo from January 15, 2018 meeting between Foreign Secretary Janjua and U.S. official Wells Credit: Foreign Ministry
The United States and Pakistan have resolved to act against all militant groups that target Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad said.
A Foreign Ministry statement said the understanding was reached during a meeting between visiting U.S. acting Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.
The visit came days after Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met with Vice President Mike Pence in Washington D.C. during a private visit.
Washington and Islamabad are working to restore cooperation in the fight against terrorists as well as support an Afghan-led peace dialogue. The two sides are also working to repair ties badly hurt after U.S. President Trump’s accusations of Pakistan’s complicity with militants attacking Pakistan.
Islamabad, on the other hand, complains that the U.S. and Afghan governments have not acted to root out sanctuaries of anti-Pakistan Taliban operating from the Afghan soil.
During the talks, Pakistani and American officials also discussed the Afghan peace initiative, seeking to end the conflict through talks with the Taliban.
“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. Both sides also reiterated their firm commitments to act against all groups that target Pakistan and Afghanistan,”a Foreign Ministry statement said.
Photo: Central Intelligence Agency
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, the statement added.
Noting that the US and Pakistan had a long track record of cooperation, Ambassador Wells emphasized the importance of working together to achieve the common objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region, according to the statement.
The two sides agreed to continue bilateral engagements at all levels. This is Wells’ second visit to Pakistan in 2018, part of a series of discussions to improve ties.
“The aim of the visit is to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations,” Foreign Office spokesman Dr. Muhammad Faisal said.
The two sides also discussed Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts and the issue over putting Pakistan back on a FATF list of countries with need to strengthen actions against terrorist financing.
Ambassador Wells is due to meet a few other senior officials in the next few days.
“The two countries are maintaining regular engagement to address the common challenges and take the relationship forward,” the foreign office spokesman said.
