US lauds Pakistan’s sacrifices in war on terror

WASHINGTON (NNI): US Defense Secretary James Mattis will arrive in Islamabad on Monday on a day-long visit to Pakistan.

According to US Defense Department, James Mattis will hold meetings with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. During the meetings, he will discuss regional security, peace, Afghan conflict and other bilateral issues.

Talking to Media, James Mattis said that this will be his first trip to Pakistan as Secretary of Defense.

He said the United States remains committed to a pragmatic relationship with Pakistan and wants to expand cooperation on shared interests. James Mattis appreciated Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

He said Pakistan has also made clear its position repeatedly to the United States through the visit of Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif and through talks between other top officials of the two countries.

Pakistan has reservations about new US South Asia Strategy that is why the two countries are trying to find convergence on some issues. He claimed that the two countries have exchanged some concrete proposals outside the media glare to reach a common understanding on some issues.