US Says It Does Not Want Pakistan Targeted by Terrorism

DID Press: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has acknowledged Pakistan’s concerns over terrorist attacks originating from Afghan territory, saying Washington does not want Pakistan to become a target of terrorism.

Speaking on Saturday at the conclusion of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, Rubio said: “Pakistan is concerned about terrorist attacks that are supported and organized from Afghan territory. They believe the Taliban are not doing enough to contain these attacks, and they have taken action in response.”

“We have clearly heard Pakistan’s concerns, and we do not want that country to become a target of terrorism,” he added.

Rubio’s remarks come as Islamabad has again criticized the Taliban administration over what it describes as Kabul’s failure to prevent terrorist groups from operating out of Afghan territory.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also rejected remarks by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement issued on Saturday. The ministry accused the group’s leadership of shifting responsibility onto Islamabad and overlooking what it described as the main issue behind tensions between the two countries.