Acknowledging Pakistan's fight against terrorism, the Pentagon said that the country has lost more lives and troops to terrorism than any other country.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana White said that the recent visit of US Secretary of Defence James Mattis to Islamabad — during which he met with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff Qamar Jawed Bajwa — was aimed at finding a common ground with Pakistan.

"This is about broadening our relationship and looking for opportunity," White said, adding that Mattis had "fruitful conversations" during his time in Pakistan.

Editorial: Sense returns to Pak-US relations

Explaining that the common ground between Islamabad and Washington is "the threat of terrorism", White said that "no one has lost more troops and lives to terrorism than the Pakistanis".

"Pakistan has an interest in ensuring that terrorism is defeated. They've lost thousands of troops and they've lost thousands of innocents as well."

White elaborated that it is in the interest of Pakistan, the US and the South Asian region to encourage a political reconciliation in Afghanistan and to this effect, Washington would work closely with Islamabad.

The search for common ground

Islamabad has been facing pressure from Washington in recent months to 'do more' against alleged terrorist safe havens in Pakistan.

Tensions had increased in August when US President Donald Trump, announcing his South Asia policy, lambasted Pakistan for "offering safe havens to terrorists".

During his trip to Pakistan, Mattis had emphasised the role that Pakistan can play in working with the US to facilitate a peace process in Afghanistan, reiterating Washington's call to redouble its efforts to confront militants and terrorists.

A day before Mattis landed in Islamabad, however, CIA director Mike Pompeo had warned Pakistan that if it does not eliminate the alleged safe havens inside its territory, the United States will do “everything we can” to destroy them.

Must Read

Opinion

Editorial

Hybrid worries
Updated 13 Jul, 2025

Hybrid worries

Once elected office is reduced to theatre, useful only for maintaining appearances, it becomes a stage for managing perceptions rather than exercising power.
Bitter taste
13 Jul, 2025

Bitter taste

THE government’s plan to import 350,000 tonnes of sugar, months after allowing the export of more than twice that...
No red lines
13 Jul, 2025

No red lines

THE US’ move to sanction Francesca Albanese, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied...
Gruesome murders
Updated 12 Jul, 2025

Gruesome murders

Long-term security can only be achieved when there is equitable development across Balochistan.
Solar policy
12 Jul, 2025

Solar policy

SOLAR net metering reforms are back in the limelight. On Thursday, Power Minister Awais Leghari announced that he...
New hope
12 Jul, 2025

New hope

EDUCATION shapes the destiny of a nation. Sadly, Pakistan’s public education sector is experiencing a national...