WASHINGTON: The US State Department has said that the United States remains committed to supporting Pakistan and the government’s efforts to end the scourge of terrorism and extremism, and to promote peace and stability in the region.
While reacting to the terrorist attack in Quetta in his daily press briefing in Washington on Tuesday, the US State Department Spokesman John Kirby expressed condolences on the loss of lives in the terrorist attack, saying many of the victims were police cadets, young people who were training and learning to defend their fellow citizens.
“This is a cowardly, lethal, horrific attack. And sadly, it’s not the first time that the people of Pakistan have fallen victim to terrorism. Many soldiers have died, many civilians have died. This isn’t some theoretical exercise for the Pakistani people; it’s right there. Not in their backyard, in their front yard,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman said that the United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the horrific terrorist attack on the police training center in Quetta that claimed the lives of over 60 people.
“We extend our condolences, of course, to the victims and their families, including the police cadets who were embarking on careers of public service,” he said.
John Kirby said that the United States stands with the people of Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan in this very difficult hour, and “we will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism”.
Kirby said that the United States remained committed to supporting the Government of Pakistan in its efforts to end the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism.
The spokesman said that terrorism was a regional issue and the United States would continue to work with regional countries, regional partners, to deal with this because it is a common threat to everybody.
“And it requires common, comprehensive, collaborative solutions. And that’s what we’re going to continue to seek,” John Kirby added.
