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, a statement issued by the US State Department soon after the conclusion of the high-profile visit said.
Secretary Pompeo emphasised the important role Pakistan could play in bringing about a negotiated peace in Afghanistan, the statement said.
Pompeo, along with US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Joseph Dunford and other senior officials, held talks with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff 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 Khan 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, in his meeting with COAS General Qamar Bajwa, the statement said. “Pompeo also expressed hope for deeper counter-terrorism cooperation between our nations,” it added.
Published in Daily Times, September 6th 2018.
