August 11, 2021
2 mins read

US govt talking to Pak to shut down safe havens for Taliban: Pentagon

Taliban’s surge in Afghanistan has intensified as US and NATO troops wrap up their withdrawal from the war-torn country….reports Asian Lite News

The US is having conversations with the Pakistani leadership about the need to shutdown the safe havens for Taliban terrorists along the Afghan-Pakistan border that are providing a source of more insecurity and instability inside Afghanistan, the Pentagon has said, as Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke over phone with Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Austin, in a phone call with Gen Bajwa on Monday, discussed the current situation in Afghanistan, regional security issues and the bilateral defence ties, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said.

During the phone call, Austin expressed his interest in continuing to improve the US-Pakistan relationship and build upon their multiple shared interests in the region, Kirby said on Monday in a readout of the conversation.

“Secretary Austin and General Bajwa discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, regional security and stability, and the bilateral defence relationship more broadly,” Kirby said.

Austin discussed the mutual goals of security and stability in the region, he said.

Responding to a question, Kirby said the US continues to have conversations with the Pakistani leadership about the safe havens that exist along that border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“We are mindful that those safe havens are only providing a source of more insecurity and more instability inside Afghanistan. We are not bashful about having that discussion with Pakistani leaders,” he said.

“We are also mindful that Pakistan and the Pakistani people also fall victim to terrorist activities that emanate from that region. So, we all have a shared sense of the importance of closing down those safe havens and not allowing them to be used by the Taliban or other terrorist networks to sow discord,” Kirby said.

“And again, we’re having that conversation with the Pakistanis all the time,” he added.

Taliban’s surge in Afghanistan has intensified as US and NATO troops wrap up their withdrawal from the war-torn country.

With Taliban attacks increasing, Afghan security forces and government troops have retaliated with airstrikes aided by the United States.

Afghanistan and the US have criticised Pakistan in the past for allowing Taliban fighters to cross into Pakistan where they are provided safe havens and also receive medical treatment.

While Kabul claims that Islamabad is sending thousands of terrorists to fight in the war-ravaged country and providing safe haven for the Taliban, Pakistan alleges that Afghanistan harbours the anti-Pakistani group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan — the Pakistani Taliban — and also the secessionist Balochistan Liberation Army.

Pakistan has said that it has used its influence over the Taliban to press the insurgents into talks with the US and the Afghan government to find a political solution to the crisis.

ALSO READ: There is no democracy in Pakistan: Hamid Mir

ALSO READ: Pakistan replaces Belt & Road chief to lure China

Previous Story

North Korea slams South over joint military drills with US

Next Story

SPECIAL: Top tips to help kids catch up this summer

Latest from -Top News

India, France Hold Nuclear Talks

The meeting, held on Monday, reviewed progress in bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and explored avenues to deepen the strategic partnership…reports Asian Lite News India and France convened the second meeting of their

Trump to Meet Pak PM at UNGA

The US President has already engaged with Pakistan’s military leadership, having hosted Army Chief Asim Munir for a lunch meeting in June….reports Asian Lite News The White House announced on Monday that

EU’s Kallas Calls India ‘Reliable’ Partner

The EU said its closer partnership with India is increasingly becoming vital in the wake of the shifting geopolitical realities…reports Asian Lite News European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas has reaffirmed that

Rubio Calls India ‘Critical’ to US

Rubio “expressed his appreciation for the Indian government’s continued engagement on a number of issues including trade…reports Asian Lite News US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described India as “critically important”
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Pak army chief, Chinese envoy discuss CPEC

The CPEC project has been in limbo since last year

Taliban kidnap and forcibly marry teenage girls

Families fearing the Taliban’s advance have been sending women and