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US vows counterterrorism engagement with Pakistan in cooperative spirit
WASHINGTON: The United States wants to engage Islamabad on the issue of counterterrorism in a cooperative spirit, the State Department said.The State Department pledge came amid continuing differences between the two countries over the use of American drone strikes against suspected militant targets on Pakistani territory.
We're trying to engage with the Pakistani Government after this parliamentary review. I can't address your specific question, but when it comes to counterterrorism, we're certainly going to listen to their views and share our own in a spirit, I think, of collaboration and cooperation, State Department Deputy spokesman Mark Toner said at the daily briefing.
The spokesman did not have an update on possible next visits, after last week's talks between the two sides in Islamabad failed to find common ground on some contentious issues in bilateral relations.
Pakistan's Parliament has demanded an immediate end to drone strikes and on Saturday, the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad termed the latest drone attacks against suspected militant targets in North Waziristan as counterproductive.
The parliament reviewed relations between the two countries in the wake of November 26, 2011 NATO attacks on Pakistani border posts in Salala, which resulted in deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers and severely strained the bilateral ties. (APP)
Courtesy www.geo.tv