Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador David Hale on Monday thanked Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa for his commitment of not allowing militants use Pakistan’s soil to conduct attacks against any country, specifically Afghanistan.

In a meeting at the GHQ in Rawalpindi, both COAS and the US ambassador reiterated their nations’ commitment to a secure, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan, said a statement issued by the US embassy in Islamabad. Ambassador Hale, the communique said, reiterated US President Donald Trump’s call during his recent speech at the US-Arab-Islamic summit in Saudi Arabia for a vision of peace, security, prosperity and unity in conquering extremism and terrorism.

“Ambassador Hale affirmed Pakistan’s role and great sacrifices in this effort,” it said. A similar statement was released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), which said that the US ambassador acknowledged Pakistan Army’s efforts in securing control of areas on Pakistan side of the border. “Both the countries can carry forward the work done towards enduring peace and stability in the region through enhanced coordination and cooperation,” the military’s media wing quoted Hale as saying. The army chief also made it clear that no cross-border attack shall be tolerated by Pakistan. Islamabad blames Kabul for hosting Jamaatul Ahrar and other militants responsible for carrying out a wave of attacks in February that killed 130 people across the country and prompted fears of a militant resurgence.