Pakistan on US Radar as Afghan Peace Process Moves

John Kirby, the Pentagon Press Secretary

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Washington, DC – The United States is keeping an eye on terrorism threats from the region of Afghanistan while dealing with terrorism threats emanating from across the border with Pakistan, according to John Kirby, the Pentagon Press Secretary.

Responding to a question from IAT about how the US views the ongoing terrorism financing from Islamabad – as was evident in a February report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is keeping Pakistan on its gray list as Pakistan was yet to address terrorism financing – Kirby said, “We continue to have a dialogue with Pakistan about — about terrorist issues along that border with Afghanistan.”

Reiterating the declaration made by the White House that the US troops will leave the war-torn country, Afghanistan on September 11 (9/11) this year, Press Secretary Kirby told the Pentagon journalists, “The president was clear. We are removing US forces from Afghanistan and will maintain the sufficient counter terrorism capabilities we need to prevent — detect and prevent threats to our homeland that could emanate from Afghanistan.”

Kirby said that terrorism in Pakistan has taken a toll domestically also saying, “I think it’s helpful to remind that they too have suffered from terrorist attacks inside their country.”

A report titled “islamist Militancy in the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Region and the US Policy,” prepared by Congressional Research Service stated: “Increasing militant activity in western Pakistan poses three key national security threats: an increased potential for major attacks against the United States itself; a growing threat to Pakistani stability; and a hindrance of US efforts to stabilize Afghanistan.”

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