U.S.-Pak to continue bilateral engagement to defeat terrorism

A high-level delegation from the United States visited Pakistan on Thursday to repair the strained bilateral ties between the two countries.

Both the countries have mutually agreed to continue bilateral engagements at all levels and strengthen their relationship to defeating terrorism.

The U.S. delegation, led by deputy assistant to the president and National Security Council senior director for South Asia, Lisa Curtis, held talks with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Dawn reported.

Interestingly, it was yesterday that a Canadian citizen, his U.S. national wife and their three children were recovered from the custody of terrorists by the Pakistan Army - around five years after their abduction in Afghanistan.

Instantly, U.S. President Donald Trump termed the safe recovery as a 'positive moment' for country's relations with Pakistan.

This was the first high-level U.S. delegation's visit to Pakistan after Trump had criticised Pakistan for providing "safe havens" to terrorists, while unveiling the new strategy for South Asia and Afghanistan.

A statement issued by the Pakistan's Foreign Office said, "The two sides reviewed the state of play in the relationship in wake of the U.S. strategy on Afghanistan and South Asia and agreed to continue discussions on all matters of mutual interest."

The U.S and Pakistan relations strained when Trump accused Islamabad of sheltering terrorists.