Pentagon reminds Pak on terrorism, urges to tackle it

Washington D.C. [USA], Mar 5 (ANI): The Pentagon on Sunday reminded Pakistan that the war on terrorism in the South Asian region reached an "inflection point" and that the country should take the opportunity to tackle and defeat terrorists, as the United States and Pakistan aims to improve their souring ties.

"With respect to Pakistan, we believe that Pakistan can do more to combat terrorism," Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White said at a weekend news briefing in Washington D.C.

"This is an inflection point and this is an opportunity and Pakistan has an opportunity to do more. They've been victims of terrorism. So, we'll look forward to continuing to work with them to see where there are opportunities," she added.

The Pentagon chief spokesperson also welcomed Pakistan's support of Afghanistan's latest peace offer to the Taliban in the Kabul Process Conference in Kabul last week.

Giving a stern warning to the Taliban, White said that the militant group had to abandon the path of terrorism and violence and support the Afghan peace offer.

She also noted that the United States continues to consult New Delhi, not only about "India's very important role" in Afghanistan but also on other issues that go beyond the South Asian region, The Dawn reported.

The briefing comes after Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua's will start her two-day visit to Washington D.C. from Tuesday, which is aimed at defusing the tensions between the US and Pakistan and finding a "common ground".

On Sunday, official sources confirmed that Janjua will have a series of meetings at the White House and the US State Department and will also address think-tank experts at the US Institute of Peace during her visit.

At the White House, Janjua is likely to meet with Lisa Curtis, the US National Security Council's senior director for South and Central Asia.

Curtis arrived in Islamabad last week and held talks with Janjua and Pakistan Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on overall ties between the two countries.

Both sides called for the developing of sustainable peace in Afghanistan and stressed on measures needed to stop human trafficking in the region.

Curtis also visited Islamabad in October last year and met with various Pakistani officials. Both sides had agreed to the common objective of eliminating terrorism.

She held meetings with Janjua and Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. (ANI)