US, Pak agree to continue talks to defeat Terrorism

The United States and Pakistan have agreed to continue bilateral engagement and reinvigorate relationship to defeat terrorism for establishing peace and stability in the region.

This development comes after an inter-agency US delegation led by Lisa Curtis, deputy assistant to the president and National Security Council senior director for South Asia, landed in Pakistan and held talks with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The consensus was reached after the US delegation discussed the contours of US strategy in South Asia with Pakistan COAS.

"The discussion focused on regional security situation including in Afghanistan and that how Pakistan has positively contributed towards peace and stability in the region," the Dawn quoted ISPR statement.

ISPR is the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces which broadcasts and coordinates military news and information to the civilian media.

The strains between the US-Pakistan relations appeared after United States President Donald Trump had accused Pakistan of harbouring terror groups.

The COAS reiterated that Pakistan had done its best to maintain peace in the region despite several constraints and would continue its efforts for the sake of future of Pakistan, the Dawn reported.

The delegation appreciated and acknowledged Pakistan Army's contributions and Pakistan's sacrifices in the War on Terror.

The US delegation emphasized the importance of reinvigorating the bilateral relationship in order to achieve the common objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

The high-talks coincided with the safe recovery of the Canadian-American couple from Taliban captivity.

The US President Donald Trump has termed the safe recovery of the Canadian-American couple as a 'positive moment' for country's relations with Pakistan.

"Today they are free. This is a positive moment for our country's relationship with Pakistan. The Pakistani government's cooperation is a sign that it is honouring America's wishes for it to do more to provide security in the region," Trump said in a statement issued by White House.

The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also plans to visit Pakistan later this month followed by Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis, according to reports.

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