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Thursday April 25, 2024

US wants joint Pak-Afghan fight against terrorists

Urges elimination of terrorists’ safe havens; seeks Afghan-led reconciliation process

By our correspondents
August 12, 2015
WASHINGTON: The United States has urged the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan to work together to defeat violent extremists from their countries.
In a briefing, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said, “Now is the time for the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan to work together to achieve the shared goal of defeating violent extremists.”
The spokesman further said, “It is in the urgent interest of both countries to eliminate safe havens and to reduce the operational capacity of the Taliban on both sides of the border.”
Kirby expressed sympathy with the victims and their families who suffered as a result of the recent attacks in Afghanistan.
To a question, the spokesman replied, “The US wants to see political reconciliation and a safe, prosperous and secure Afghanistan.” He added that the prime goal of the US has always been one of Afghan-led reconciliation with the Taliban, and that remains the goal and objective.
Kirby said US Secretary of State John Kerry had talked to Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani after the press conference of the latter. Kirby said both the leaders talked about safe havens.
John Kerry said Pakistan and Afghanistan will have to work jointly for the elimination of safe havens of terrorists.