US official calls for Pakistan action against militants ‘without distinction’

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will meet with Pakistani officials during her October 7-8 visit.

Ahead of her visit, Sherman told reporters, “We seek a strong partnership with Pakistan on counterterrorism and we expect sustained action against all militant and terrorist groups without distinction.”

“Both of our countries have suffered terribly from the scourge of terrorism and we look forward to cooperative efforts to eliminate all regional and global terrorist threats,” she said.

In an important development prior to her visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan told Turkey’s TRT World television, “Some of the Pakistani Taliban groups actually want to talk to our government for some peace, for some reconciliation.”

“If the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) lay down their arms, we can forgive them and they can become normal citizens,” said PM Khan.

“I repeat I do not believe in military solutions. I am anti-military solutions, so I always believe that being a politician, political dialogue is the way ahead, which I always believed was the case in Afghanistan,” added the premier.