In this file photo, US Secretary of State John Kerry gives a joint press with High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini (unseen) after their meeting in Brussels on December 3, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD: The United States is set to boost its security and intelligence cooperation with Pakistan to step up its offensive against militants, Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday.
Kerry is in Islamabad to hold strategic dialogue with Pakistani officials on the direction of future ties. In a joint press conference with Advisor of Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, Kerry said the US was committed to deepening its security relationship with Pakistan in order to eliminate threats in the border area and elsewhere.
He said Pakistan must fight militant groups that threaten Afghan, Indian and US interests.
Kerry later met senior military commanders, including Army chief General Raheel Sharif, at their headquarters in Rawalpindi to discuss joint military efforts and plans for greater intelligence-sharing.
DG ISPR Asim Bajwa tweeted Kerry and the army chief discussed wide ranging issues, including regional security and stability.
Secy #Kerry called on #COAS in office,later delegation level mtng.Discussed wide ranging issues incl regional security,stability,Afgn-1/2
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 13, 2015
Secy #Kerry in #GHQ:Lauded Pak's commitment to fight terrorism,appreciated Pak Army's achievements in Op ZarbeAzb-2/2 pic.twitter.com/sFoKQyXCWa
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 13, 2015
"The tragedy of December 16 is really a reminder of the serious risk of allowing extremists to find space, and be able to command that space and operate within it," Kerry said.
He said all militant groups such as the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba "continue to pose a threat not just to Pakistan and its neighbours but also to the United States and the world."
"Make no mistake the task is a difficult one and it is not done," Kerry said.
"We all have a responsibility to ensure that these extremists are no longer able to secure a foothold in this country or elsewhere."
The US Secretary of State lauded the efforts of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for Pakistan's fight against terrorists in operation Zarb-e-Azb and said that "PM Nawaz Sharif deserves a lot of credit for his work and efforts in their current operation in North Waziristan."
However, there was growing consternation in Washington about continuing with the same level of assistance unless Pakistan provided evidence if was using the funds effectively to eliminate militants holed up on its soil.
Kerry said however Washington would provide an additional $250 million in food, shelter and other assistance to help people displaced by conflict in tribal areas. Aziz made a plea for the United States to keep giving Pakistan money to help rebuild the regions where the Pakistani military has been fighting militant groups.
"We expect our defence forces to remain engaged in counterterrorism operations for some time in the foreseeable future," Aziz said adding that "continuation of coalition support fund reimbursements are therefore a valuable support that must continue in the interests of both countries."
Peshawar attack
Strongly condemning the brutal massacre of schoolchildren, Kerry say the terrorists who executed children and women will be isolated and deserted.
"Every family in the US sympathises with Pakistan; the December 16 attack strengthened our shared resolve and the people of US will continue to stand with the people of Pakistan but the commitment is required from each one of us," said Kerry.
Border violence
Commenting on the recent violence on Pakistan and India's border, Kerry called upon the neighbours to find a diplomatic solution.
"We continue to be deeply concerned by the recent spate of increased violence along the working boundary and the line of control," Kerry said, adding that "it is profoundly in the interests of Pakistan and India to move this relationship forward."
During his visit, US Secretary of State also met the Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif at the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. Kerry also received a guard of honor.
COMMENTS (38)
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There is no denying that our two countries have similar histories and our relationship goes back to Pakistan’s independence. It is also a fact that we have had our challenges. We strive to work through them. The United States leadership has maintained the importance of Pakistan in the region and that is the reason these bilateral meetings are important. Secretary Kerry and General Austin’s visit to Pakistan is a testimonial that we stand with Pakistan and its people in their times of need. Both leaders paid tribute to the Pakistani people and the security forces for their sacrifices. Talking about the December 16 tragedy, Secretary Kerry said, “We all have a responsibility to ensure that these extremists are no longer able to secure a foothold in this country or elsewhere.” “I emphasize that the U.S. is committed to deepening our security relationship with Pakistan in order to eliminate threats in the border area and elsewhere,” Kerry said.
Abdul Quddus DET - U.S. Central Command www.facebook.com/centcomurdu
“Make no mistake the task is a difficult one and it is not done,” Kerry said
This is no problem Sir for the Sharifs? Please promise us another $250 millions as blood money and we will displace more in Pakistan, this time in Punjab and Sindh provinces!.
Rex Minor
ET mods - please allow factual rebuttal to the comment made by @Azeem. Many in Pakistan have seen 6 minutes out of context clip which was run by one channel and reached a conclusion opposite to what they would reach if they had seen the whole clip. I have included the clip.
@azeem: The speech by Ajit Doval that you refer to was in Feb 2014 when he was a retired IB Officer - retired in 2005. He was not the NSA at that time. In fact in his speech, he criticizes the UPA government for having a defensive approach o Pakistani proxies and recommends a defensive offense . So if you o by his speech, India had a pure defensive approach even as Pakistan was sending proxies.Here is the complete speech which is 1 hour and 40 minutes long - not just the 6 minute out of context stuff that is being shared all over Pakistan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4RaCJrT51w&feature=youtubegdataplayer
Please list en from 56 minutes and 30 seconds. You will realize that he is Recommending a defensive offense mode but complaining that the government is using a purely defensive mode.
@Murali- for our iewing pleasure as well.
@azeem: I have watched it many times even before Modi was elected. Please enlighten me where was the confession ? He talked about strategies and doctrine and there is difference between thinking a strategy and implementing it. Can you use his video as evidence in UN to prove India's involvement in any terrorist attack in Pakistan ? The answer to that question will lie an answer for you that there is nothing in the video which your media has been showing so over zealously without even telling you guys that this video is from pre Modi government, leaving you gullible people to imagine whatever you "love" to imagine. Conspiracy theories, thats all.
@A.M.Khan: Oh really. This is what Ban Ki Moon and Mr Kerry confided in you ? Or is it your "conviction"..lol
@Arsie: Where is the proof of this so called funds ? Where is Asif Khwaja with his "convictions". Thats all you guys have "convictions" no proofs. Conviction is whats required to get justice under legal system of Pakistan not evidences.
@azeem: Would you care to help me by providing the link. It appears that you have watched it.
@Sid: Watch video of Indian national security adviser ajit doval..you will find confession. India is not innocent as you think
@A.M.Khan: both ban ki moon and John Kerry attended Gujrat summit, it has nothing to do with LoC.
" Aziz made a plea for the United States to keep giving Pakistan money to help rebuild the regions where the Pakistani military has been fighting militant groups." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 250N Mn from US and Rs250 from China......and which relationship is higher than the Himalayas?
" “PM Nawaz Sharif deserves a lot of credit for his work and efforts in their current operation in North Waziristan.”" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Every Pakistani must find that statement hilarious.
Pakistanis should start paying taxes so that other countries will not have to chip in to help the poor in the country.
That's a lot of money. Hopefully government officials will not eat up this amount and will let the aid money help the poor.
Feather in Pakistans Cap ++++++++++++++ Begging Successful.
Kerry praised Nawaz Sharif +++++++++++++++++++++ As US has praised Yahya Khan, Zia ,Musharraf.......in the past.
Thank you very much People and Govt of America.
We sincerely appreciate your standing with us at this time.
I really hope GoP utilises these funds effecrtively with NO LEAKAGE.
Pakistan and America need to rebuild a strong partnership based on respect and realistic expectations.
What else Pakistan has been doing for the past almost 30 years? It has been fighting the terrorist & paying heavy cost in men, material & economic losses. What America is doing is that it walked away from Afghanistan leaving entire responsibility on Pakistan. America is giving Civil Nuclear technology to India, Arms & ammunition & all sorts of other benefits. This double facedness cannot continue for ever. What India is doing is firing on the border of Pakistan, avoiding solution of Kashmir issue in contravention of UN verdict and also creating trouble inside Pakistan and killing Muslims in India and forcibly converting them. All four parties and rest of the world has abdicated its responsibility and keeps on pushing Pakistan to do the job. It is high time that India, US and world play their roles, as far as Pakistan in concerned enough is enough.
What else Pakistan has been doing for the past almost 30 years. It has been fighting the terrorist & paying heavy cost in men, material & economic losses. What America is doing is that it walked away from Afghanistan leaving entire responsibility on Pakistan. America is giving Civil Nuclear technology to India, Arms & ammunition & all sorts of other benefits. This double facedness cannot continue for ever. What India is doing is firing on the border of Pakistan, avoiding solution of Kashmir issue in contravention of UN verdict and also creating trouble inside Pakistan and killing Muslims in India and forcibly converting them. All four parties and rest of the world has abdicated its responsibility and keeps on pushing Pakistan to do the job. It is high time that India, US and world play their roles, as far as Pakistan in concerned enough is enough.
No more "DO MORE"
@A.M.Khan: Hahah ban ki moon said india that india lead afghan and play big role, you can verify his statement
"Kerry urges Pakistan to fight militants threatening Afghan, Indian and US interests"..... a three in one solution from Modi and Kerry! This tells what Kerry thinks of Nawaz and his team of experts that include Khawaja Asif.
Is he representing the US or India?
I guess this statement must be linked to some trade deal he agreed in India.
The reality is India is sponsoring terror in Pakistan using their proxies the BLA and TTP.
India is no doubt financing anti Pakistani elements in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Pakistan has submitted an appeal to UN to ask India to back off. His visit here and Ban Kin Moon's in India is for the same purpose.
"He said Pakistan must fight militant groups that threaten Afghan, Indian and US interests." and forget about the ones that threaten Pakistan. A friend in deed...
@Arsie: This is one of the reasons he is in Pakistan. Bankimoon met Indian rep. to set them right and he is showing his bond with Pakistan so that India should reduce its influence to support anti Pakistani elements.
Dear Mr Kerry you surely realise that ; Laatoun kay bhoot Baatoun say naheen maantay
.. violence on Pakistan and India’s border..
ET, the violence is not on Indo-Pak Border, it is on Working Boundary (Indian Admin Jammu and Pakistani Punjab)
Keep things as it is while padding.
regards,
Now listen to your master & as he says, You Billions of $$ aid package has been cleared by US Senate.
So the Strategic dialogue is to prod Pakistan to eliminate all (Good + Bad) Terrorism. Its very clear the world community, when it comes to Pakistan thinks only about Terrorism.
I think you missed to mention below..Please add this to your content :) "Terror groups like the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e Taiba, and other groups, continue to pose a threat to Pakistan, to its neighbours, and to the United States, and we all of us have a responsibility to ensure that these groups do not gain a foothold but rather are pushed back into the recesses of (Pakistan's) memory," Kerry said in Islamabad. "This task is obviously far from finished."
And we're still feeling and experiencing the nine eleven pain!.....every single family...every single day!!!
Clever spin. The international media is reporting that Kerry asked Pakistan to catch terrorists that are hurting regional countries like Afghanistan and India! In other words he's siding with India!
Whatever Mr.Kerry wants to say, he can say it in dollars.
What happened to Asif Khwaja's "conviction" as evidence against India ? Just few hours ago he was fooling the gullible awaam of Pakistan that India is attacking Pakistan from Afghanistan.