Scourge of terrorism: Pakistan, US must combat ‘shared threat’ together, says Pentagon

Like victims of Paris shootings Pakistanis have also been victims of terror, says spokesperson

WASHINGTON: Military cooperation between the United States and Pakistan continues to improve and Washington will continue to support Islamabad in dealing with the shared threat of terrorism, the Pentagon stated on Saturday.

Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said it is for Pakistan to continue the fight against terrorism in its own interest, and noted that like the victims of the shootings in Paris earlier this week Pakistanis have also been victims of terror.

“I want to remind, as I often do, that it’s important to remember that the Pakistani people have become - and are victims - of terrorism, just like the people in Paris are this week,” Kirby said.

“It’s not about us putting pressure on the Pakistani government. It’s about the Pakistani government continuing to address this threat in keeping with their best interests and the interests of their people,” Kirby said at a news conference, after a journalist suggested that Washington pressurise Pakistan into doing more. “And it’s a shared threat, a shared challenge that we have, and we have maintained an interest in helping them deal with, and that will continue.”

Responding to another question, the spokesman said the sanctuary that some of the militant groups ‘enjoy in Pakistan’ has “long been an issue of concern for [the US], it’s long been a topic of discussion with [our] Pakistani counterparts”.

Kirby emphasised that terrorism is a common threat to Pakistan and the United States. “It’s a common threat, a common challenge that we all have to continue to work on together and to look for ways to improve that cooperation,” he said. “I will also tell you that cooperation with Pakistan and the Pakistani military in general continues to improve.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2015.