There are no safe havens in Pakistan, Mattis told

Pakistan on Monday conveyed to the US that "there are no [terrorist] safe havens in the country and the entire nation is committed to eradicating terrorism once and for all in all its forms and manifestations." This was conveyed to the US Secretary of Defence James Mattis by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi who received the top visiting Cabinet member of President Donald Trump after he arrived here on a one-day visit to discuss the counterterrorism efforts and issues of mutual interests.
"The Prime Minister reiterated that there are no safe havens in Pakistan and the entire nation is committed to its resolve on eradicating terrorism once and for all in all its forms and manifestations," stated an official handout of the Prime Minister's media office after the meeting.
According to Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W White, Secretary Mattis reiterated, "Pakistan must redouble its efforts to confront militants and terrorists operating within the country."
However, the US official statement did not mention any specific terrorist group, such as the Haqqani Network, which the US top officials often blame Pakistan for offering it refuge in its tribal region along Pak-Afghan border.
White, at the conclusion of the Secretary of Defence's visit to Pakistan, stated that Secretary Mattis recognized Pakistan's sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
"The Secretary emphasized the vital role that Pakistan can play in working with the United States and others to facilitate a peace process in Afghanistan that brings stability and security to the region," White House added in the official statement which was also released here to the media by the US Embassy.
In Islamabad, Secretary Mattis met with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Minister of Defense Khurram Dastgir Khan. Secretary Mattis also met with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar, she added.
Sharing highlights of the recent counterterrorism operations to improve the law and order, the PM's media office stated that the Prime Minister noted that Pakistan, in its national interest, would continue to conduct intelligence-based operations all over the country to consolidate the gains achieved in the last four years.
Articulating Pakistan's perspective, the Prime Minister noted that no other country benefits more from peace and stability in Afghanistan than Pakistan. He agreed with Secretary Mattis that both Pakistan and the US have common stakes in securing peace and security in Afghanistan for the long-term stability of the broader region. The Prime Minister also appreciated the US resolve not to allow the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan, it added.
Recalling the longstanding relationship with the United States, the Prime Minister underlined the need for a broad based engagement to strengthen partnership and enhance cooperation between the two countries.
According to the PM's media office, General Mattis stated that the purpose of his visit was to find common grounds in order to create a positive, consistent and long-term relationship with Pakistan.
He emphasized that in view of his long association with Pakistan, he is keenly aware of the sacrifices rendered and the lives lost in Pakistan's fight against terrorism and extremism; and he personally respects and appreciates the professional abilities of Pakistan's armed forces. Mattis also underscored the importance of continuing and deepening cooperation for the common objective of eliminating terrorism from the region.
On his maiden tour to Pakistan as Secretary of Defence, General Mattis was accompanied by senior officials from Department of Defense and the US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale.
The Prime Minister was assisted by Ministers of Defence Khurram Dastgir Khan, Foreign Affairs Khawaja Asif and Interior Ahsan Iqbal as well as National Security Adviser Lieutenant-General Nasser Khan Janjua (retd), DG ISI Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar and other senior officials from the respective ministries.
Mattis is the second senior US government official to visit Pakistan in the last two months following US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who visited Pakistan in October this year.