White House official John Kirby on Wednesday clarified that Pakistan has never been a strategic ally of the US, but the two countries have joined hands many times over the past decades to fight threats.
“Pakistan has never been a technical ally of the United States. I mean, there was no alliance agreement with Pakistan,” Kirby said at a press briefing in Washington, when asked if the Joe Biden administration had supported Islamabad’s growing presence. What is the response to the appeal? Cross-border terrorism
Kirby admitted that the US and Pakistan have fought against terrorism on several occasions in the past.
“But certainly, in many years over the last two decades, we have partnered with Pakistan appropriately to address the threat of terrorism.”
“…which still exists on this backbone between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
Kirby also said that US officials have acknowledged that Pakistanis are still victims of cross-border terrorist violence.
The White House official added that his administration, as long as he remains in office, remains committed to working with Pakistan to address these shared threats and challenges.
“And it’s not — that hasn’t changed. It’s not going to change.”
In August 2024, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel pledged his country’s commitment to prevent groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from using Afghanistan as a base for attacks against neighboring countries, including Pakistan. was confirmed.
Then the following month, spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States would stand shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.
Later in December, Miller reiterated America’s unwavering support for Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and extremism.
“We stand with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism,” Miller said at a weekly media briefing in Washington.