Following a White House meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Barack Obama, the U.S. has lauded their pledge to pursue terrorist groups of all ideologies.
The White House spokesman Eric Schultz said, “We’ve been very clear with the Pakistani government that in implementing that commitment, Pakistan must take action against all militant groups without discriminating,”
“Since Sharif’s 2013 visit, the US and Pakistan have continued robust cooperation and trade and investment in energy and increasing business ties.
“Pakistanis have suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists and violent extremists,’’ Schultz said, while praising Pakistan’s ongoing military effort against “terrorist sanctuaries” that have had “significant impact”.
He further said that Sharif and Obama talks centered on counterterrorism, nuclear issues, as well as economic growth, trade and investment.
The leaders also discussed clean energy, global health, and climate change, alongside ongoing security talks.
A joint statement released after the meeting also stated the commitment of the two leaders to an “enduring” partnership,” a “prosperous Pakistan, and a more stable region”.
The White House, however, would not comment on recent reports that it was considering selling military jets to Pakistan while pursuing limits on Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
Pakistani officials also downplayed speculation about US nuclear demands before the trip, denying that any deal was under discussion.
Earlier, Sharif held a breakfast meeting on Thursday with Vice President Joe Biden at the Naval Observatory.
Sharif was accompanied to the meeting by Ministers of the Interior, Defence and the Foreign Affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz.
