WASHINGTON : The US has asked Pakistan to combat all militant outfits, including the Haqqani network, even as it appreciated Islamabad’s commitment for not allowing terrorist safe havens to flourish in the country.
“We continue to consult with Pakistan on regional security dynamics, and welcome the government of Pakistan’s commitment to combat all terrorists and ensure that militant groups are not able to maintain safe havens in Pakistan,” a Defense Department spokesman told.
The official said that Pakistan was using assistance provided by the US in their efforts to combat terrorism in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
With respect to the Coalition Support Fund (CSF), the Department has not made any decisions regarding the Haqqani certification requirement associated with the USD 300 million of the USD 1 billion CSF FY15 appropriation available for Pakistan, the spokesman said.
“We continue to urge Pakistan to combat all militants, including the Haqqani Network,” the official said, adding that this was the message that was conveyed to Pakistan during the Pentagon visit its Army Chief General Raheel Sharif.
The Department of Defense supports increase Pakistan-Afghanistan cooperation, the spokesman said adding that during Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit in October, both he and US President Barack Obama affirmed that regional peace and stability required the prevention of attacks across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
“This was underscored during a recent visit between Secretary Carter and Chief of Army Staff Raheel Sharif,” the spokesman said.
(PTI)
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