Pakistan to act against all terror groups without discrimination

Pakistan has committed to take effective action against all terrorist groups including Lashkar-e-Taeba and its affiliates, held responsible for Mumbai terror attacks, and not let its territory be used to destabilise other countries.

Islamabad's commitment to target all terrorists without discrimination was carried in a Joint Statement issued Tuesday after ministerial-level US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue here headed by Secretary of State John Kerry and Pakistan's Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

The US and Pakistan also "agreed on the need for effective action against all violent extremists, specifically underscoring that no country's territory should be used to destabilize other countries."

"Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to countering terrorism including by targeting all terrorists without discrimination," the statement said.

Aziz, the statement said, affirmed Pakistan's resolve to take effective action against UN-designated terrorist individuals and entities, including Al-Qaeda, the Haqqani Network, and Lashkar-e-Taeba and its affiliates.

The US and Pakistan also committed to continue promoting peace, stability, and transparency in the region and to eliminate the threats posed by violent 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."

The two sides agreed to further enhance cooperation between their respective counter terrorism authorities and emphasized the importance of strengthening Pakistan's capabilities to more effectively counter the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Kerry and Aziz also commended the progress being made on the TAPI (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India) gas pipeline project.

Noting with appreciation the groundbreaking ceremony of the TAPI project at Mary, Turkmenistan in December 2015, the statement said such regional projects would greatly facilitate regional integration and cooperation.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)