US State Department Deputy Spokesperson, Mark Toner, while briefing the press in Washington on Wednesday said that the United States welcomes and congratulates General Qamar Javed Bajwa on his appointment as Pakistan Army Chief.
Mark Toner said: “ let’s give this gentleman a chance to get up to speed, but we certainly congratulate him on the appointment and welcome his – the transition to a new chief of army staff.”
Toner said that US maintains a close cooperation with Pakistan on counter-terrorism operations.
“With respect to our counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan, that’s ongoing. We work with them quite closely,” he said.
The deputy spokesperson further added: “They’re aware of some of our concerns, which include a safe haven for some terrorist groups that are active in the region.”
Mark Toner further said that Pakistan has also paid the price of terrorism and added that it is in Pakistan’s interests to crack down on any terrorist group that may be finding safe haven within its borders.
