WASHINGTON (News Desk) – A State Department Spokesperson on Thursday called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to cooperate in fighting terrorism, following allegations by the Afghan President that the attack on the American University in Kabul was orchestrated from Pakistan.
At a regular briefing at the State Department, Spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau refused to comment on the allegation of responsibility for the attack, and instead asked Pakistan and Afghanistan to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.
As we have in the past, we encourage the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan to work together, not only in the wake of this attack and to ensure that such attacks don’t happen again, the spokesperson stated.
She asked the two countries to increase their cooperation countering violent extremism. Asked if she think Pakistan has not taken enough steps against terrorist groups, the spokesperson drew the attention of the questioner to statement by Pakistan’s army chief that they would not discriminate while taking action against terrorist groups.
Meanwhile, in a statement, US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned in the strongest term the attack on the American University in Kabul, an institution created with the sole purpose to help educate and enlighten the future leaders of Afghanistan.
The Secretary described the attack as a cowardly assault and said that this will ultimately fail to deter the path of peace in Afghanistan.
He said the American University of Afghanistan will continue to serve as a beacon of hope for all Afghans.
Pakistan has strongly condemned the terrorist attack at the American University and extended profound condolences with the Afghan government and the people of Afghanistan.
It also reiterated condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
In a meeting on Thursday with Dr. Peter Lavoy, Special Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for South Asia at the US National Security Coucil, in Islamabad, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry highlighted the successes Pakistan has been able to achieve in dismantling and eliminating the terrorists hideouts in FATA through operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Dr. Lavoy noted that US Administration recognized the efforts and sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation and its armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
