Over 97% of recent attacks on Pakistan conducted from Afghanistan: Khawaja Asif

KARACHI: Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said on Monday that 125 out of 128 recent attacks in Pakistan were coordinated from Afghanistan.

The statement was made during the foreign minister's appearance on Geo News' programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath' aired on Monday night.

He added that the civil-military leadership stressed, in its meeting with  US Secretary of Defence James Mattis, on effective border management with Afghanistan and repatriation of Afghan refugees.

He also claimed that the civil-military leadership was on the same page during the meetings with the American defence chief.

Asked about separate meetings with the US defence secretary, in contrast with the earlier meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during his visit to Pakistan, Asif replied: "We had already exchanged notes with each other for the prime minister had other engagements as well. A single script was discussed at the meetings [on Monday].

"Mattis has been engaged with the Pakistan Army for quite some time and he expressed his resolve for restoration of peace."

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The US defence secretary was conveyed that we do not need aid, but understanding, the minister added.

Mattis acknowledged Pakistan's concerns and said the US wants to maintain a "consistent" relationship with Pakistan, he said.

"To maintain such a relationship, the two sides need to build up trust in each other," Asif quoted Secretary Mattis as saying at the meetings. "We are aware of the human cost Pakistan has paid in this war on terror."

He said the US defence secretary was told that Pakistan's fight against terrorism was greatly hindered by non-provision of F-16 fighter jets by the United States and that such measures limited their capacity [to fight terrorism].

"It was quite a frank exchange overall, in which there was no hostility," the minister said of the Pakistani leadership's meetings with the top US official.