Relations with Pakistan are important, says US

The US enjoys an important relationship with Pakistan, state department spokesperson John Kirby has said, dispelling the notion that relations between the two countries had reached a stalemate.

Kirby on Friday said ties between the two countries were complicated at times but it is an important relationship that "we continue to work at very, very seriously, and we are going to remain committed to".

When asked to comment on the closure of Torkham border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, he said the US wants to see the crossing stay open.

The major border crossing between the two countries was closed after Afghanistan objected to the fencing of the border that Pakistan intends to carry out in order to stop infiltration of militants.

The relationship between the two countries suffered in the last three months, something that foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz admitted on Friday after the US refused to supply Pakistan with F-16 fighter jets.

--IANS

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