US to support Pakistan in counter-terrorism efforts in 2017

An official US document on the need for continuing aid to Pakistan in the fiscal year 2017 reveals that United States’ intent to continue collaboration with Pakistan on countering terrorism.

“The United States, therefore, has a deep interest in a stable, democratic and prosperous Pakistan, as well as long-term constructive bilateral cooperation,” says an official US document.

The document posted recently on a US government website, explains why during his visit to India last week Secretary of State John Kerry rejected the suggestion, made at media briefings and public engagements, that Washington needed to abandon Pakistan as it was not a trustworthy ally.

The documents acknowledge Pakistan’s efforts to counter terrorism within its territory and state that the Pakistani government’s endeavours to root out extremism are yielding better results.

The document says that due to these reasons the US will “continue its intensive engagement with Pakistan to advance our joint interest in a democratic Pakistan that is developing economically, countering militancy and contributing to peace and stability in the region”.

The US administration explains that its engagement with Pakistan is facilitated both through the US-Pak¬istan Strategic Dialogue and through the assistance aligned with and supportive of these policy goals.

It notes that the US and Pakistan enjoy a positive security partnership and are working collaboratively to address security threats faced by both nations.

The document explains that non-security US assistance to Pakistan supports development, cooperation and reform in five key areas: energy, economic growth, stabilisation of areas most vulnerable to extremism, education and health.

The document also mentions Pakistan’s efforts at countering violent extremism within its territory which, it says have “continued to expand and achieve results”.