US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday pressed Pakistan to increase its efforts to eradicate militants and terrorists operating within the country. Mr. Tillerson visited Islamabad and met with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif; Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal; Minister of Defense Khurram Dastigir Khan; Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua; Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa; Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. Gen. Naveed Mukhtar, and other officials.
A U.S. Embassy statement issued after the meeting said that the Secretary discussed continued bilateral cooperation and partnership, expanding economic ties between the United States and Pakistan, and Pakistan’s critical role in the region."The Secretary reiterated President Trump’s message that Pakistan must increase its efforts to eradicate militants and terrorists operating within the country. To address those concerns, the Secretary outlined the United States’ new South Asia Strategy and the vital role that Pakistan can play in working with the United States and others to facilitate a peace process in Afghanistan that can bring stability and security to the region. The Secretary noted that Pakistan and the United States share common interests in establishing a stable, peaceful Afghanistan, defeating ISIS in South Asia, and eliminating terrorist groups that threaten both Pakistan and the United States." the statement read.
In all meetings with Pakistan’s leaders, the Secretary expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. The Secretary also expressed his gratitude to the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistani Army for their cooperation in securing the release of the Boyle-Coleman family from captivity. Pakistan is yet to issue the statement on the meeting.