John Kerry, Nawaz Sharif discuss efforts against terror

Washington: US Secretary of State John Kerry and visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today discussed the need to take "additional measures" against all terrorists inside the country, a senior US official said.

Kerry and Sharif discussed security, regional and global issues, said State Department spokesman John Kirby.

The meeting, which was held at the Blair House, the official guest house of the US President, was attended by top leaders from the two countries.

Giving readout of the meeting, Kirby said the two leaders discussed the current security situation on the ground in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Kerry appreciated steps taken by Pakistan in the war against terrorism.

The two leaders also discussed the reconciliation talks with the Taliban and Kerry urged Sharif to bring them to the table for peace talks.

Pakistan had played a key role in persuading the Taliban for talks.

"Secretary Kerry recognised Pakistan's efforts and sacrifices in targeting extremists in Zarb-e-Azb and other operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and the two leaders discussed the need for additional efforts to target all terrorists in its territory," Kirby said.

"They discussed the recent announcement to keep US troops in Afghanistan beyond 2016, noting that an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process is the surest way to end violence and ensure lasting stability in Afghanistan and in the region," he said.

Highlighting the multidimensional nature of the US-Pak partnership and its importance for regional stability and security, Kerry thanked Sharif for Pakistan's regional efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism, especially in bringing to justice al-Qaeda leadership and disrupting terrorist plots.

Kerry acknowledged Pakistan's continued facilitation of reconciliation discussions between the democratically elected Afghan government and members of the Taliban.

"Both leaders agreed to build on the ongoing US-Pakistan strategic dialogue to advance progress in these and other areas," he said.