US welcomes Pakistan's steps against outlawed groups as positive
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WASHINGTON:US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Alice Wells has said the United States welcomes Pakistan's steps against outlawed groups as positive.
In an interview with an Indian daily, she lauded the statement of Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa against non-state actors and said Islamabad has taken good initial steps against groups and individuals banned by the UN.
Alice Wells said the United States is holding "good faith conversation" with Pakistan. She added that the United States is not "walking away" from Pakistan."
Referring to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's recent visit to Kabul, Alice Wells termed it an excellent initiative between the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan to strengthen their bilateral relationship. She said until they have more normal relations, it is impossible to talk about broader reconciliation.
She said the United States fully supports the Pak-Afghan framework agreement and establishment of action groups. She said we would like to see concrete steps to improve the relations between these countries whether it is on trade, aid, border management or refugees.
The US official further said that Pakistan is also a victim of terror and groups like TTP are targeting civilians.
She said terrorists who attack Pakistan are also enemies of the United States, adding "we believe we have shared interests and Pakistan has a stake in a stable Afghanistan." APP/AFP
