Pakistan tells Tillerson it has "produced results" in fighting terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday reconfirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the “war on terror” during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, saying his country had “produced results” fighting militants.

Relations between uneasy allies United States and Pakistan have frayed in recent years, with Washington accusing Islamabad of turning a blind eye or helping Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network militants who stage attacks in Afghanistan. Pakistan denies doing so.

President Donald Trump has vowed to get tough with Pakistan unless it changed its behaviour, with U.S. officials threatening further reductions in aid and mooting targeted sanctions against Pakistani officials.

Tillerson, on a tour of Asia and the Middle East, arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday afternoon and met with Abbasi, as well as army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

“We are committed in the war against terror,” Abbasi told Tillerson, as the two men sat facing each other on a long table.

“We have produced results. And we are looking forward to moving ahead with the U.S. and building a tremendous relationship,” added Abbasi, who sat next to Bajwa.

During a short part of the meeting available to media, Tillerson told the Pakistani delegation that the nuclear-armed nation was an important U.S. ally in the region.

“(Pakistan is) important regionally to our joint goals of providing peace and security to the region and providing opportunity for greater economic relationship as well,” Tillerson said.

As well as support for the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network, another sticking point in the relationship has been growing closeness by the United States to India, Pakistan’s arch-foe and neighbour.

Tillerson said last week that the Trump administration wanted to “dramatically deepen” cooperation with New Delhi, partly to offset Chinese influence in Asia. Trump has also called for greater Indian role in Afghanistan.

But this deepening in ties has alarmed Pakistan, which has rejected a greater political role for India for Afghanistan as a “red line” for Islamabad.

Pakistan's delegation included Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Defence Eng Khurram Dastagir Khan, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, DG ISI, Secretary to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.

Talking to Geo News, Kh Asif said that it was decided by the Pakistani side that civil-military leadership should meet the visiting US official jointly to give a message that all are united.

Do more mantra:

In a statement issued by the US Embassy after the visit, Tillerson was quoted as reiterating President Trump’s message that Pakistan must increase its efforts to eradicate militants and terrorists operating within the country.

“The Secretary discussed our continued bilateral cooperation and partnership, expanding economic ties between the United States and Pakistan, and Pakistan’s critical role in the region.”

“The Secretary reiterated President Trump’s message that Pakistan must increase its efforts to eradicate militants and terrorists operating within the country. To address those concerns, the Secretary outlined the United States’ new South Asia Strategy and the vital role that Pakistan can play in working with the United States and others to facilitate a peace process in Afghanistan that can bring stability and security to the region. The Secretary noted that Pakistan and the United States share common interests in establishing a stable, peaceful Afghanistan, defeating ISIS in South Asia, and eliminating terrorist groups that threaten both Pakistan and the United States.”

“In all meetings with Pakistan’s leaders, the Secretary expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. The Secretary also expressed his gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistani Army for their cooperation in securing the release of the Boyle-Coleman family from captivity.”

Agreement on continuing engagements:

Pakistan and the United States on Tuesday agreed to build upon the understandings reached in the dialogue process and to continue the pace and scope of high level engagements in future.

According to a statement issued by the PM Office, the US Secretary of State accompanied by a high-level delegation visited Islamabad.

The visit was a follow-up to the meeting between Prime Minister Abbasi and US Vice President Mike Pence in New York in September 2017 in which the two sides agreed to resume full scale engagements between the two governments.

The prime minister underlined the importance of high level engagements between the two countries and expressed satisfaction on the progress made during the interactions in recent months.

He informed the visiting delegation of the significant strides Pakistan had made in improving its overall security and economic environment resulting in significantly improved business and investment opportunities available to foreign businesses and investors.

Talks covered in detail all aspects of bilateral relations, the regional situation, as well as the evolving international environment.

The Pakistani delegation outlined the government's policy of a peaceful neighbourhood and steps taken to promote cooperation and stability in Afghanistan and the region.
The US delegation was informed that progress in promoting peace and stability in the region was linked to the resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.

The ongoing grave violations of human rights by Indian occupation forces in Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir were highlighted.

The US delegation was also apprised of the tremendous sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation, including the security forces and law enforcement agencies in the war against terror.

The fact that the Pakistani security forces have successfully carried out the largest counter-terrorism operation was detailed along with Pakistan's sustained commitment and interest in supporting peace and stability in Afghanistan as well as the broader region.

The delegation was also informed of the ongoing efforts on securing the Pak-Afghan border out of the national resources.