WASHINGTON: The White House has renewed its commitment to a strong counterterrorism partnership with Pakistan in the wake of Monday’s bomb explosion in Quetta.

“The United States is committed to our continuing counterterrorism partnership with Pakistan,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement issued hours after the attack.

“We remain resolute in joining with the people of Pakistan in confronting terrorism in Pakistan and across the region,” he added.

State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau said the US had offered its assistance to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as his government “investigates and works to bring the murderers to justice”.

She pointed out that the terrorists targeted a hospital, as well as the judiciary and the media, two of the most important pillars of every democracy.

“These brutal and senseless attacks only deepen our shared resolve to defeat terrorism around the world, and we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism,” Ms Trudeau said.

The offer underlines a desire in the US to partner with Pakistan in fighting terrorism despite growing tensions between the two countries. Last month, the US administration withheld $300 million of defence assistance to Pakistan for its alleged reluctance to take on the Haqqani network of terrorists.

Pakistan has denied the charge as “unfair and incorrect,” pointing out that it is committed to fighting all terrorists without any discrimination.

Journalists’ safety Meanwhile, US-based journalists’ advocacy groups urged the Pakistan government and media owners to provide adequate security to journalists sent on dangerous assignments.

Two journalists — Mehmood Khan, a cameraman for DawnNews, and Aaj TV cameraman Shehzad Ahmed — were also killed in the Quetta blast. Mr Ahmed died at the scene of the blast, while Mr Khan died in hospital later. A reporter for Dunya News, Faridullah, was injured.

“This deadly attack underlines the extreme dangers journalists face working in Pakistan,” said Steven Butler, a programme coordinator for the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. “The deaths of Shehzad Ahmed and Mehmood Khan testify to the bravery and dedication of Pakistan’s press corps.”

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2016