Noting that Pakistan has a “serious extremism and terrorism problem”, the United States has offered to continue its support to Islamabad in its efforts to “confront and combat” the extremist threat within its own territory.
Terming the terror attack in lahore on Sunday “grotesque and chilling”, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest drew a parallel with the infamous Peshawar school massacre in December 2014 that killed 141 people, including 132 children.
“Obviously, there is a serious extremism and terrorism problem inside of Pakistan, and the Pakistan government understands that,” Earnest said, adding the United States “has certainly been supportive and encouraging of the Pakistani government as they’ve considered the steps that are necessary to combat that extremist threat”.
Asked if the United States believes that actions taken by Pakistan over the past several years have been effective in “decimating” terror outfits, Earnest spoke of the “indication that there continues to be a serious problem there”.
“Our success in fighting extremism around the globe is going to also depend on the ability of individual nations to fight extremism within their borders,” he said, adding: “And certainly the Government of Pakistan understands today just how critically important that is.”
At the State Department, spokesman John Kirby said there is “no doubt that Pakistan continues to be under threat from terrorists inside their own country” with innocent Pakistanis continuing to suffer at their hands.
“The United States stands with the people and government of Pakistan at this very difficult hour,” Kirby said, adding: “Attacks like these only deepen our shared resolve to defeat terrorism around the world, and we’re going to continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region to combat the threat of terrorism.”
Asked about Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s decision to cancel his US visit for the Nuclear Security Summit beginning Thursday, the spokesman said it was “completely understandable” in the backdrop of what has happened.