WASHINGTON: Pakistan and Afghanistan were called by the US State Department Spokesperson on Thursday to collaborate against terrorism. She said this in the aftermath of the allegations by the Afghan President against Pakistan with regard to the attack on the American University in Kabul.
Spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau noted this at a regular briefing at the State Department while refusing to comment on the allegation pertaining to the responsibility for the attack. She added, “As we have in the past, we encourage the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to work together, not only in the wake of this attack and to ensure that such attacks don’t happen again.”
The two countries were also asked to increase their cooperation against the violent extremism. When asked if she believed Pakistan had not taken enough steps against terrorist groups, the spokesperson drew the attention towards a recent statement by Pakistan’s army chief that they would not discriminate while taking action against terrorist groups.
Meanwhile, in another statement, US Secretary of State, John Kerry, condemned, in the strongest terms, the attack on the American University–an institution created with the sole purpose to help educate and enlighten the future leaders of Afghanistan. The Secretary described the attack as a cowardly assault and further added that this would ultimately fail to deter the path of peace in Afghanistan. The American University of Afghanistan would continue to serve as a beacon of hope for all Afghans, he asserted.
Pakistan has also strongly condemned the terrorist attack at the American University and extended profound condolences with the Afghan government and the people of Afghanistan. It reiterated its condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
During a meeting, held on Thursday, with Special Assistant to the US President, Dr Peter Lavoy, who also served as Senior Director for South Asia at the US National Security Council, in Islamabad, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry also highlighted the successes Pakistan had been able to achieve in dismantling and eliminating the terrorist hideouts in FATA through operation Zarb-e-Azb. Dr Lavoy, in turn, noted that US Administration had recognised the efforts and sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation and its armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
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