WASHINGTON: Pakistan has vouched to take effective action against all terrorist groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba and its affiliates, saying it will not let its territory be used to destabilise other countries.
The commitment to target all terrorists without discrimination was carried in a joint statement issued after ministerial-level US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue headed by Secretary of State John Kerry and Pakistan's Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. Both the countries also “agreed on the need for effective action against all violent extremists, specifically underscoring that no country's territory should be used to destabilise other countries.” The statement read, “Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to countering terrorism including by targeting all terrorists without discrimination.” Aziz said the statement was an affirmation of Pakistan's resolution to take effective action against UN-designated terrorist individuals and entities, including Al-Qaeda, the Haqqani Network, and Lashkar-e-Taeba and its affiliates.
US and Pakistan also committed to continue promoting peace, stability, and transparency in the region and eliminate the threats posed by extremism and terrorism. The US and Pakistan will also “work together to further bolster the capacity of Pakistan's judicial and law enforcement authorities to enforce the rule of law and combat terrorism, including the financing of terrorism.” Both the sides have also agree to further enhance cooperation between their respective counter terrorism authorities and emphasised the importance of strengthening Pakistan's capabilities to more effectively counter the use of improvised explosive devices.
