ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the United States is committed to deepening security partnership with Pakistan in order to eliminate militancy from the region.
In a press conference along with the prime minister’s adviser on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad after conclusion of strategic dialogue on Tuesday, Kerry said that Pakistan and the US have been extensively cooperating in security matters and results of the cooperation will come out soon.
“The United States will continue its cooperation with Pakistan in fight against terrorism,” Kerry said.
John Kerry said that militant groups including Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Tayba and Taliban are threat to Pakistan, the US and other countries of the world.
The US secretary of state said that Pakistan armed forces deserved the credit of carrying out an effective operation in North Waziristan. He said that Pakistan initiated a costly operation against the militants, especially the Haqqani networks.
“The US wants to strengthen multi-faceted relations with Pakistan,” he further said, adding that he hoped that strategic dialogue would help further promote relations between the two countries.
Kerry said that $258 million will be allocated for the resettlement of the Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) of the northwester North Waziristan tribal region.
In addition, Kerry said that brutal murder of children in Peshawar on December 16 was felt in every US household. He said that the United States stands with the victims’ families in their sorrow.
“The US wants to build a future of Pakistani children that is free from violence,” Kerry was quoted as saying.
Talking about the US role in Afghanistan, the secretary of state said that it is changing and not ending.
John Kerry said that during his discussion with Sartaj Aziz on Afghanistan both have agreed to work closely with for the sustainable development of Afghanistan.
The US secretary of state said that positive discussions were held during strategic dialogue on Pakistan-US cooperation in diverse fields.
US will prevail upon India for resolving issues with Pakistan through dialogue: Aziz hopes
On the occasion, Sartaj Aziz expressed hope that the United States will prevail upon India for resolving the issues with Pakistan through dialogue for regional peace and prosperity.
“Pakistan wants peaceful relations with its neighbouring countries,” Aziz said.
The adviser said that Pakistan wants constructive, sustained and result oriented dialogue with India to resolve issues. He expressed concern over the Indian aggression of Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary.
Sartaj Aziz further said that in the strategic dialogue both sides discussed wide range of issues including cooperation in economy, energy, nuclear issues, counter-terrorism and law enforcement.
The adviser said that a new working group on education, science and technology is also constituted under the framework of strategic dialogue.
Aziz said that Pakistan and the US have agreed on expanding trade and urged the US to give greater market access to Pakistani products. He said that Pakistan is waiting business opportunities conference to be held in March this year.
