Pakistan under pressure to eradicate terrorist safe havens: Mattis

KABUL to destroy all safe havens of militant groups.

 Maj. Gen. Dawlat Waziri, spokesman for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), told Pajhwok Afghan News that Jim Mattis held out the assurance in a telephone contact with his Afghan counterpart.

Mattis and Lt. Col. Tariq Shah Bahrami discussed the security environment in Afghanistan and the region. While welcoming the US support, Bahrami briefed his US counterpart on the security situation in Afghanistan.

“Afghan security forces, in particular the Afghan National Army, have been doing the most difficult job during the ongoing solar year: Not allowing Afghanistan’s enemies to achieve their nefarious designs,” Bahrami said.

He added the ANA performance had improved compared to last year. “Currently, all military initiatives are led by security forces, particularly by the ANA. They have been on the offensive in fighting against the militants.”

About reforms, Bahrami said the Ministry of Defence (MoD), was working decisively to root out corruption and boost the professional capacity of the security forces.

Mattis appreciated MoD’s anti-corruption effort and urged an accelerated improvement. He reaffirmed support to the Afghan government and people, saying the US was pressuring Pakistan to eradicate safe havens of terrorists.

Such sanctuaries, he said, were an obstacle to peace and stability in Afghanistan. “The US remains committed to honouring the promises held out o Afghanistan and we appreciate reforms and youth leadership in ANA.”

mds/mud