US urges Pakistan, Afghanistan to work together for defeating extremists

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 sympathies and prayers are with the victims and their families who suffered as a result of recent militant 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 US has always been one of Afghan-led reconciliation with the Taliban, and that remains goal and objective.