US, Pakistan can work together for regional security: Pentagon

WASHINGTON: The United States and Pakistan can work together to find opportunities to further regional security, says the US Department of Defense.

Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W White while speaking at a regular briefing in Washington said: “So with respect to Pakistan, we have opportunities with Pakistan. We think Pakistan can do more, and we’ll look to them and work with them to find opportunities to further regional security.”

She was responding to a question with regard to the Afghan authorities blaming Pakistan for terrorist activities in Afghanistan.

She said:  “In Afghanistan, one, we have to remember that the Taliban and ISIS, their motive is to scare people. It’s fear. And they are purposely targeting voting registration. That is what they’re doing in order to ensure — because they can’t win at the ballot box.”

Amid strains in ties between two countries, Alice Wells, US Department of State’s Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, came to Pakistan on a second visit last month.

Earlier, she visited Islamabad and Karachi from March 28 to 3 April. During the stay in Pakistan, she held meetings with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, National Security Adviser Lt Gen (R) Nasser Khan Janjua and Army Chief General Qamar Jawed Bajwa.

A US embassy statement on her visit said: “During her visit, Ambassador Wells discussed the South Asia strategy and Pakistan’s stated commitment to eliminate all terrorist groups present within its borders, as well as our shared interest in building economic and commercial ties that benefit both nations.”