Pakistan was never technical ally of US: John Kirby

WASHINGTON: White House official John Kirby on Wednesday clarified that Pakistan was never a technical ally of the United States (US).

“Pakistan was never a technical ally of the United States. I mean, there was no treaty of alliance with Pakistan,” Kirby told a press briefing in Washington, when asked about what the Joe Biden administration had done in response to Islamabad’s appeal against rising cross-border terrorism.

However, he acknowledged that the United States and Pakistan have joined hands on numerous occasions in the fight against terrorism.

“But certainly, over many, many years in the last couple of decades, we partnered with Pakistan as appropriate to deal with the terrorist threat,” he mentioned.

“… that still exists on that spine between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

Kirby also mentioned that the American authorities recognised that Pakistani people were still falling victim to terrorist violence coming from across that border. The White House official added that his administration, for as long as they’ll be in office, remains committed to working with Pakistan to address those common threats and challenges. “And that’s not — that hasn’t changed. It’s not going to change.”