Nawaz-Obama meeting: Agreement to act effectively against all terrorist groups
WASHINGTON: After an unusual, two-hour long meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US President Barack Obama, the United States and Pakistan agreed on Thursday to take effective action against all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba.
According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, Pakistan also agreed to ensure that all Taliban groups, including the Haqqani Network, “are unable to operate from the soil of Pakistan.”
The two leaders expressed concern over violence along the Line of Control, and noted their “support for confidence-building measures and effective mechanisms that are acceptable” to both India and Pakistan.
President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif discussed “the continuing threat of nuclear terrorism” as well, although there was no mention of a nuclear deal that media in both Pakistan and the United States speculated about.
Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s firm resolve not to allow any ISIS/Daesh (the so-called Islamic State) footprint in Pakistan.
Pakistan to ensure that Taliban, including the Haqqani Network, are unable to operate from its soil
The leaders emphasised the importance of a sustained and resilient dialogue process between India and Pakistan, which should aim at resolving all outstanding territorial and other disputes, including Kashmir.
These disputes should be resolved “through peaceful means and working together to address mutual concerns of India and Pakistan regarding terrorism”, the statement said.
Prime Minister Sharif apprised Mr Obama about Pakistan’s resolve to “take effective action against UN-designated terrorist individuals and entities, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and its affiliates, as per its international commitments and obligations under UN Security Council resolutions and the Financial Action Task Force,” the statement added.
President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed that a mutual commitment to democracy was a key pillar of the US-Pakistan partnership. “President Obama commended Prime Minister Sharif’s leadership in strengthening and consolidating Pakistan’s democratic institutions.”
President Obama condemned the December 2014 terrorist attack by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in which 140 school children were killed.
The leaders discussed the importance of continued cooperation against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
President Obama affirmed Pakistan’s role as a key counter-terrorism partner and recognised the sacrifices that Pakistani civilians, military and law-enforcement personnel have made over the years while confronting terrorism and militant groups.
President Obama expressed particular appreciation for Pakistan’s ongoing support to degrade and ultimately defeat Al Qaeda and its affiliates, noting that this partnership had helped to decimate the group’s leadership and operational capacity and had disrupted plots against the US homeland.
President Obama also honoured the sacrifices of the Pakistani security forces in Operation Zarb-i-Azb and other operations, which have degraded the ability of militants to plan and execute terrorist attacks and noted further steps being taken in this regard in line with the National Action Plan.
President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif renewed their common resolve to promote peace and stability throughout the region and to counter all forms of extremism and terrorism.
Afghan reconciliation process
Both leaders expressed their commitment to advance an Afghan-owned and -led peace and reconciliation process between the Afghan government and the Afghan Taliban, and called upon Taliban leaders to enter into direct talks with Kabul and work towards a sustainable peace settlement.
President Obama commended Pakistan for hosting and facilitating the first public talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban in July 2015 and highlighted the opportunity presented by Pakistan’s willingness to facilitate a reconciliation process that would help end insurgent violence in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan’s territory “will not be used against any other country and noted that this is an obligation of all countries in the region”.
Both leaders affirmed that regional peace and stability required the prevention of attacks across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The prime minister outlined the actions that Pakistan was taking under the National Action Plan to ensure that the Taliban — including the Haqqani Network — are unable to operate from the soil of Pakistan. The leaders reaffirmed that coordinated management of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and orderly return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan were fundamental to enhancing security.