ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has called for action against sanctuaries of terrorists in Afghanistan.

“It is very important for the success of the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan that international forces and the Afghanistan government take simultaneous concrete actions to root out the safe havens of terrorists from Afghan territory,” he was quoted as saying during a meeting with the US principal deputy special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Ambassador Elizabeth Jones.

Jirga asks Afghan govt to stop militants’ infiltration

The meeting, which was attended also by US deputy ambassador to Pakistan Thomas Williams, discussed the overall geopolitical situation in the region.

The minister said that greater cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and the US was important for regional peace and security. He said he was confident the international community would be aware of the interests of Pakistan, especially in the post-2014 scenario.

He said Afghanistan was passing through a crucial phase in its history and hoped that there would be a positive outcome of Afghan elections, both for Afghanistan and the region.

Chaudhry Nisar said Pakistan was committed to working closely with the new government in Kabul for peace and stability.

Progress of different working groups operating under the Strategic Dialogue process between Pakistan and the US was also discussed and it was agreed that an inter-ministerial meeting would be convened in near future.

Ambassador Elizabeth Jones said that the US government was committed to enhancing institutional support and cooperation to Pakistan in different fields, especially those of counter-terrorism and policing.

She praised the role played by for regional peace and said that the US viewed the government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as a trusted and reliable partner for pursuit of peace. She observed that relations with Pakistan would gain strength under his leadership.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2014