Describing militant outfits like Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Taliban as threat not only to Pakistan but also to its neighbours, United States and the world at large, US Secretary of State John Kerry Tuesday said Washington is set to boost its security and intelligence co-operation with Islamabad to step up its offensive against militant groups.
Speaking at a joint news conference along with Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz at the conclusion of the fifth ministerial level Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue, Kerry said that his country is co-operating with Pakistan on different fronts ranging from military-to-military discussion and intelligence sharing to combat the menace of terrorism and extremism.
"Militant groups such as the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba continue to pose a threat not just to Pakistan and its neighbours but also to United States and the world," he declared. Secretary Kerry, however, told the media briefing that Pakistani forces deserve appreciation for launching a comprehensive operation against terrorists, adding they have started a comprehensive effort to break up the nexus of the Haqqani network. "The operation [Zarb-e-Azb] has produced positive results," he noted. However, he said this is a difficult task and we will have a responsibility to ensure that the extremists are no longer able to build strong foothold in this country and beyond.
He also welcomed the strong consensus forged by the Pakistani government and political leadership against all the terror groups in the wake of the Peshawar school attack. He said that the US stands by Pakistan in its efforts to build a future free of violent extremism and terrorism. Responding a question about the escalation of tension on the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary, Secretary Kerry said he was deeply concerned by recent violence on the India-Pakistan border and called on the two neighbours to find a diplomatic solution. "We encourage the two parties to re-engage for settlement of their disputes," he said, adding it is profoundly in the interest of Pakistan and India to move their relationship forward.
"This is the hardest time to work...it means you have to put a lot of time and effort in overcoming historical mistrust, past events and enmities that come from that history", he said, adding we have to create a pact for sustainable peace through dialogue. "We applaud the efforts to do so, we encourage both Pakistan and India to re-engage and the United States will do whatever it can to try to help in that effort," he added. Secretary Kerry also appreciated Prime Minister Sharif for reaching out to its neighbours for a peaceful neighbourhood and greater understanding, adding Prime Minister Sharif deserved a lot of credit for his leadership in reaching out to his neighbours to develop peace and understanding.
About Afghanistan, he emphasised that United States will deeply remain engaged in Afghanistan and the region, adding the US will continue to provide training and assistance to the Afghan security forces. He said the US will continue to consult with Pakistan on recent developments in Afghanistan, adding both Pakistan and United States in today's dialogue reaffirmed their commitment for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.
To a query, he admitted there have been disagreements between Pakistan and the US on different issues but added that it was a mature relationship. "We are able to work through those disagreements," he added. Recounting the US assistance in energy and education areas, he said that both the countries have longer goals to stay focused on. He said that the relationship is not restricted alone to countering terrorism but also building on opportunities to make both the countries more prosperous and democratic.
"We have plan of action to expand our trade and economic relations", he said, adding the addition of six working group on education and science and technology is another step towards promoting relations. Earlier, Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan wants peaceful relations with all its neighbours both on the eastern and western borders. With India, we want a constructive, sustained and result-oriented dialogue on all issues of mutual concern, he said, adding the cancellation of foreign secretary level talks by India followed by the recent incidents of unprovoked and indiscriminate firing on the LoC and working boundary are a source of serious concern to Pakistan.
He expressed the confidence that the United States as an influential member of the international community, can prevail upon India to work with Pakistan towards regional peace and economic prosperity. To a question, the Advisor said the Indian side had cancelled the secretary level talks and onus is on them to take the initiative for the dialogue. He categorically declared that the talks with India sans Kashmir dispute are totally out of question.
Referring to the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb, Aziz declared that Pakistan has initiated an indiscriminate action against all terrorists, adding the infrastructure of Haqqani network and their ability to operate from the area has been damaged.
"We will not allow our land to be used against any other country. About 80 to 90 percent area of North Waziristan has been cleared of militants," he said, adding that the return of IDPs is a major challenge and requires about $1.5 billion to $2 billion for their rehabilitation. He urged the international community to come forward for Pakistan's assistance in this regard. About the talks, he said that both the countries have agreed to expand trade and urged the US Secretary of State to consider various proposals to provide greater market access to Pakistan. He further said that Pakistan is eagerly awaiting the joint US-Pakistan business opportunities conference in Islamabad in March 2015.
He said that the two sides had a very useful and productive exchange of views on a wide range of bilateral issues, adding relations with the US are a vital component of Pakistan's foreign policy. He said that during the discussion, both the sides took stock of the progress made in the six Working Groups within the Strategic Dialogue process since the last review in January 2014 and to identify areas for future collaboration and co-operation.
Aziz said that he also briefed Secretary Kerry about several positive developments in the past three months that have helped improve Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan and emphasised the importance of larger assistance from the global community for reconstruction and development in Afghanistan. "We agreed that peace and stability in Afghanistan was an essential pre-requisite for stability in Pakistan and the Region," he added.
Agencies adds: Pakistan must fight militant groups that threaten Afghan, Indian and US interests, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday as he offered sympathy for the victims of last month's massacre of children at a Pakistani school. Visiting Pakistan after going to India at the weekend, Kerry said all militant groups should be targeted to bring security to the region.
Before leaving Pakistan for Geneva, where he is due to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif, Kerry had been expected to travel to Peshawar to visit the victims but the plan was scrapped. "Kerry had hoped to make a brief trip to Peshawar to visit survivors of the school massacre recovering in a hospital there but weather concerns forced him to cancel," said a senior State Department official.
"Obviously, the proof is going to be in the pudding," Kerry said. "It will be seen over the next days, weeks, months, how extensive and how successful this effort is going to be." "We all have a responsibility to ensure that these extremists are no longer able to secure a foothold in this country or elsewhere, Kerry said." Some analysts believe Pakistan's security services see the Haqqanis as an "asset" and maintain close links with them.
He meanwhile insisted that the US-Pakistan relationship was not solely based on military and defence interests. Over the past five years some $7.5 billion had been pumped into Pakistan and "gone towards building roads, dams, bridges, and health clinics in Pakistan - projects that have improved the daily lives of people", Kerry said.
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