Pakistan urged to take ‘decisive measures’ against terrorists: US

State Department says Islamabad could play key role in bringing about negotiated peace in Afghanistan

The United States has said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo conveyed the need for Pakistan to take ‘sustained and decisive measures’ against terrorists and militants threatening regional peace and stability in all his meetings with civil and military leadership of Pakistan on Wednesday.

Secretary Pompeo emphasised the important role Pakistan could play in bringing about a negotiated peace in Afghanistan, said a statement issued by the US state department soon after the conclusion of the high-profile visit.

Interestingly, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while briefing the media on the visit earlier in the day, had claimed that an impasse in Pakistan-US relations has been broken during talks with the top US diplomat.



“They have agreed that the blame and shame game is not good as it only vitiates the atmosphere. Yes, we have different issues and we will be thinking differently but our objectives are same. I feel that today’s meeting has set the stage to reset the environment for bilateral relations,” the foreign minister said.

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also took to Twitter citing the visit as “a fresh start for Pakistan and US relations with Prime Minister Imran Khan taking the lead.”

A fresh start for #Pakistan and #US relations with Prime Minister Imran Khan taking the lead.Confident body language from the PM,and smiles from US Secretary of State #MikePompeo. It marks an understanding of a relationship of mutual benefit and respect between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/HTmzV0z0KM

— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 5, 2018

Pompeo, along with Chairman US Joint Chief of Staff General Joseph Dunford and other senior officials, held talks with Qureshi, Khan and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa during his day-long visit to Pakistan before leaving for New Dehli for another key visit.

According to the US statement, Secretary Pompeo congratulated Prime Minister Imran on the formation of his government and welcomed the further strengthening of civilian institutions.  He also highlighted the importance of the Pakistan-US relationship, and underscored areas of shared interest, such as the expansion of two-way trade and commercial ties.



In meeting with Foreign Minister Qureshi, Pompeo discussed the potential for the United States and Pakistan to work together to advance joint priorities, including regional peace and stability.  “He also emphasised the value of strong people-to-people ties between our nations, built on decades of cultural and educational exchanges.”

Secretary Pompeo welcomed the smooth transition of power to a new civilian government, stressing the importance of strong democratic institutions during his meeting with COAS General Qamar Bajwa, the statement further said.  Secretary Pompeo also expressed hope for deeper counter terrorism cooperation between our nations, it added.