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WASHINGTON: The United States and Pakistan have many opportunities to work together for defeating terrorism and restoring stability in Afghanistan, says the US Department of Defence as the White House assures Kabul of its continued support.
Such assurances from the White House, the Pentagon and the State Department follow a series of recent terrorist attacks in Kabul that killed hundreds of civilians, including many journalists.
The attacks caused speculations in the US media that the Trump administration may reconsider its pledge to stay engaged with Afghanistan if the situation worsened.
Some media reports also suggested that the new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo may back proposals for withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan if the situation does not improve.
At a Thursday afternoon news briefing, Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana White not only reiterated continued US support to Kabul but also reminded Islamabad of the need to work with neighbouring states to bring peace and stability to the region.
“So, with respect to Pakistan, we have opportunities with Pakistan,” said Ms White when asked if Pakistan was supporting US efforts to defeat terrorism in Afghanistan. “We think Pakistan can do more, and we’ll look to them and work with them to find opportunities to further regional security.”
Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2018
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Comments (43) Closed
May 05, 2018 08:06am
Please do more.
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May 05, 2018 08:13am
But the question is, can US trust Pakistan?
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May 05, 2018 08:21am
Look at the eNIC mess in Afghanistan, and then let us know where Afghanistan’s problem really lie. It’s not just the Taliban, it’s the deep ethnic fissures that rip that country apart.
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May 05, 2018 08:28am
Do more.
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May 05, 2018 08:36am
Afghan war is not our war.Pakistan has already paid a heavy price in terms of human,monetary and economic loss.Afghanistan and America must fight this war.Pakistan must draw a line and control its border.Every time,there is an incident,Afghan government lays the blame at Pakistan`s door and America keeps telling us "do more".It is time,these two countries should do more.
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May 05, 2018 08:37am
Pakistan has nothing to do with IS, who were responsible for recent attacks in Kabul. Why is US so reluctant to name powers who are behind IS.
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May 05, 2018 08:40am
That's right, do more Pakistan! Haven't we heard that before? It is time for America to do more.
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May 05, 2018 08:43am
Indian and China is also working together.
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May 05, 2018 08:50am
US invaded Afghanistan they have to fix it not Pakistan.
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May 05, 2018 09:09am
Pakistan should stay away from Afghanistan. It’s USA’s mess, they should fix it.
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May 05, 2018 09:13am
Same old statement.
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May 05, 2018 09:17am
How about this time around US try to fight terrorism in Afghanistan on its own or with the help of its all weather friend India... We Pakistanis have our own problems like social and economic development to deal with.
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May 05, 2018 09:29am
Pakistan's Afghan strategy has worked. When US starts thinking of withdrawing means the pakistani strategy is bearing fruits. Pakistan will have its strategic depth desire fulfilled. India comes out as a loser in this game. Pakistan will destroy all the infrastructure built by india in afghanistan and will have last laugh.
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May 05, 2018 10:16am
U.S strategy to keep Pakistan in War
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May 05, 2018 10:47am
Sorry USA, you created the mess and you sort it!!
And, please do more!
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May 05, 2018 11:04am
Take out India from Afghanistan, Pakistan will be more then willing to help restore peace in Afghanistan.
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May 05, 2018 11:12am
What about state terrorism in IOK. How come not a word there.
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May 05, 2018 11:12am
@Abrar Hussain more the other way round.
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May 05, 2018 11:16am
No more sacrifices for US interests in AFGHANISTAN.
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May 05, 2018 11:20am
Pakistan should stay away from any type of violence and must support every peaceful effort the US is responsible for destruction of Afghanistan.
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May 05, 2018 11:30am
Pakistan diplomacy is winning and the US knows that they have to have the former as their ally for winning in Afghanistan. US is scared that if India-China engage positively in Afghanistan, US will lose and need Pakistan, a solid ally, who is fighting terror inside their country and pushing their terrorists outside their boundary to India, Afghanistan and Iran. When Pakistan joins US, it would be world dominance. China should learn that they cannot backstab Pakistan by associating with India, and get away with it. Pakistan's geographical location naturally allows it to dominate the region and with an ally like US, in the world arena. When US supports Pakistan, then all western countries and almost all other countries will also support it, alienating India and all their enemies.
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May 05, 2018 12:24pm
No thanks. American deal themselves
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May 05, 2018 12:40pm
@Vijay Look who's talking!
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May 05, 2018 01:17pm
Let Pakistan and Afghanistan work together like before 9/11 US invasion as brotherhood. For the relationship to be peaceful. America should leave Afghanistan. Pakistan and Afghanistan were always allies similar to China.
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May 05, 2018 01:32pm
@Dr.M.S.Awan Please look at comment of Altaf Mirza. Unfortunately, it is very much Pakistan's war, although when convenient it is described as the US war in which Pakistan has "sacrificed" a lot without having anything to gain.
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May 05, 2018 01:48pm
US is the problem and not the solution, where ever US goes it starts othing but war. The sooner US pulls out, the sooner will the corrupt puppet government colapse and the war will come to and end. Taliban are also tired of war, once the US is out, all the neighbours, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan can help in genuine power sharing government in Afghanistan. China is willing to bank roll to rebuild Afghanistan. The country with its tremendous mineral wealth has a very bright future, US is the main obsticle in the path.
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May 05, 2018 02:49pm
Can USA do more by leaving Afghanistan in the hands of Afghan? Before the Russian and US invasion, I remember Afghanistan was a peaceful and most modern country in that region. Please stop blaming Pakistan Pakistan was thee since day one it was USA and Russia who brought havoc to the peace-loving country like Afghanistan.
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May 05, 2018 03:13pm
@Abrar Hussain Not sure about US but Pak has definitely learnt not trust US anymore..
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May 05, 2018 03:35pm
@Abrar Hussain Should be other way around.
Should Pakistan trust US now?
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May 05, 2018 03:36pm
Afghan taliban should kickout usa and ghsni govt from afghanistan asap.
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May 05, 2018 04:10pm
I am sure....both countries have been actual custodians of peace for decades :-)
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May 05, 2018 05:01pm
Please ask India to start talks with Pakistan for all outstanding issues.
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May 05, 2018 05:20pm
Yet another cruel and silly joke beyond reality by racist Donald Trump and his cunning and crooked cronies in Pentagon.
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May 05, 2018 05:21pm
if the US leave Afghanistan, pleace will follow automatically.
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May 05, 2018 05:22pm
No more, US just caught trying to jail break terrorist in Pakistan.
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May 05, 2018 05:57pm
@Abrar Hussain that’s not the question the question is why are they asking us? We have done enough and if no trust then we are not asking for it.
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May 05, 2018 06:06pm
Ms White of US State Dept.
Pakistan and Pakistanis have given up 20 years and $$$ on Afghanistan.
It is time for USA and ISAF members to join in Developing Pakistan or Leave Pakistan alone, so we may concentrate on Developing our Country.
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May 05, 2018 06:29pm
America is a main source of Afghan problem.
America is not a part of solution ,It is a main problem.
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May 05, 2018 08:04pm
It is imperative that United States must act and contribute on establishing regional peace between South Asian actors and it must stop using India or Afghanistan as its instrument in pursuit of its flawed regional policy of containment of China. and by The importance of securing regional peace and stability cannot be over emphasized. Instead coearcing Pakistan by its disingenuous mantra of Do More the United States must take due cognizance on its historical role in Afghanistan and its contribution In partnership with India by cultivating regional insecurity. The United States, if it expects to see viable solution to the regional conflict then it must first do more as a neutral and honest broker instead of towing India known interest against Pakistan and unrealistically expecting Pakistan to act against its own national security interest. Pakistan has done enough and paid way much more then its share in Its struggle. It must not compromise any more. Enough is enough, NO MORE.
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May 05, 2018 10:54pm
@Vijay now you are the choice. Go ahead please
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May 06, 2018 01:09am
@Vijay @Farhan go there and do more. Go there and taste the last breath. Why should we fight your fight. Go there and do more.
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May 06, 2018 03:26am
Lets work on Pakistan Peace.
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May 07, 2018 12:53am
US will need to leave that region.
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