ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: The United States asked Pakistan on Monday to continue fighting terrorists in its tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and keep the land routes open for movement of US and Nato cargo; otherwise its coalition support reimbursements and security assistance could be held up.

The message was delivered by US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif during his first visit to Pakistan.

The trip, which is also the first by an American defence secretary to Pakistan in four years, followed US decision to suspend the use of land routes through Pakistani territory in the wake of PTI’s protests against drone attacks.

Mr Hagel opened his daylong trip with talks with Gen Sharif at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and later met Prime Minister Sharif and his national security team at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.

“Secretary Hagel stressed on his interlocutors to continue fighting terrorists and the importance of keeping land routes open,” a source said.

The routes, suspended in the aftermath of PTI protests, are critical to the US and coalition forces for pulling out military hardware before the completion of the drawdown. Moreover, inaction against terrorist groups and their safe havens could also complicate the situation in Afghanistan.

A US Embassy statement on the visit said: “Pakistan’s determined effort to root out terrorism and militancy on its own territory is essential for creating a stable environment for promoting economic growth and prosperity.”

The Pakistan government has been making attempts at opening dialogue with terrorists to coax them away from militancy that has claimed tens of thousands of innocent lives.

The government claimed that when it was on the verge of beginning negotiations with former TTP leader Hakeemullah Mehsud he was killed in a drone attack. Agitated government ministers had termed Mehsud’s killing a US ‘ambush on peace initiative’.

Publicly the US has so far maintained an ambivalent position on Pakistan government’s peace dialogue with militants.

In his meeting with PM Sharif, Secretary Hagel reportedly conveyed US government’s serious concerns about the continued presence of terrorist havens in tribal areas and enhanced activities of militant groups, particularly the Haqqani network.

He also called for improved measures along the Pak-Afghan border for preventing terror groups from launching cross-border attacks on both sides.

Despite their consensus on fighting terrorism, the US and Pakistan have all along differed on the identity of the enemy and the strategy to fight them out.

Assuring Pakistani leaders that the US would not ignore the region after the drawdown slated to be completed next year, Mr Hagel said the US and its coalition partners remained resolved not to let militants destabilise the region.

“Secretary Hagel reviewed the mutually beneficial bilateral security relationship and reaffirmed the strong US commitment to fostering peace and security in the region. During his meetings, the secretary also emphasised the US desire for a strong, long-term partnership with Pakistan,” the US Embassy said.

The secretary spoke about the Coalition Support Fund and the security assistance, which are being used to build counter-terrorism capabilities of security forces.

The CSF has accounted for nearly half of US financial transfers to Pakistan from 2001 to June 2013. Pakistan has since 2001 received about $11 billion under this head from the US. The amount equals roughly one-fifth to one-fourth of Pakistan’s total military expenditures during this period.

Pakistani claims for October to December 2012 are being currently reviewed.

Mr Sharif was told that it would be politically difficult for the Obama administration to get CSF bills reimbursed in case the routes remain closed for US/Nato traffic.

The prime minister said Pakistan remained committed to relations with the US and desired long-term and broad-based defence cooperation.

“The prime minister stressed the importance of establishing a long-term and broad-based defence cooperation with the US on the basis of mutual interest,” a statement issued by the PM Office said.

It was unclear if Mr Sharif’s words could be taken as an assurance for opening the routes.

“The two leaders agreed to work together to strengthen Pakistan-US relations and advance the shared interest of a stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan and the region,” the PM Office said.

The Pakistani offer for greater defence cooperation also comes against the backdrop of continued stalemate between the US and Afghanistan over a bilateral security agreement that would provide a framework for the presence of US and allied forces beyond 2014.

Although the US continues to plan for the post-2014 presence in Afghanistan, the delay in signing a security agreement has forced it to look for other options.

Secretary Hagel is expected to meet leaders from other countries contributing forces to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan for deliberations on Afghanistan and the future presence of troops.

Agencies add: After leaving Islamabad, Mr Hagel flew to Saudi Arabia where he is scheduled to meet Crown Prince Salman.

Defence officials said in Riyadh that Mr Hagel had received assurances from the Pakistanis that they would take “immediate action” to resolve the shipment problem. The officials did not provide details on how that might be done.

They said Mr Hagel described a political reality on Capitol Hill that could complicate support for the billions of dollars of aid Pakistan now received. It was Mr Hagel’s intent to try and pre-empt any problems with the aid, said the officials.

During the Pakistan meetings some of the more contentious issues also were raised, including Islamabad’s opposition to ongoing CIA drone strikes and Washington’s frustration with Pakistan’s reluctance to go after the Haqqani network, which operates along the border and conducts attacks on US and coalition troops in Afghanistan. The officials acknowledged that little progress was made other than to agree to continue talking.

Mr Sharif’s office said the prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s deep concern over continuing US drone strikes, “stressing that drone strikes were counter-productive to our efforts to combat terrorism and extremism on an enduring basis,” the statement said.

Mr Hagel’s warning to the Pakistanis about the supply route reflects what has been a growing frustration among US lawmakers with Pakistan in recent years.The visit came after Mr Hagel’s deputies withdrew a statement that Nato shipments out of Afghanistan through Pakistan would resume due to the end of anti-drone protests.

Mr Hagel warned Mr Sharif that US lawmakers could withhold military assistance if Islamabad failed to ensure security for the key supply route.

“There will be those home back in Congress... who will seize upon this issue if it continues to be a concern,” a defence official told reporters after Mr Hagel’s talks with the prime minister.