Won’t declare Pakistan a terror state, says US

WASHINGTON: In what could be seen as a setback for India, John Kirby, spokesperson of the United States’ department of state, on Friday said that the United States

WASHINGTON: In what could be seen as a setback for India, John Kirby, spokesperson of the United States’ department of state, on Friday said that the United States would not be declaring Pakistan as a ‘terrorist state’.

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While addressing the media in his daily press briefing, Kirby was asked about the online petition in the US Congress which sought to declare Pakistan a terrorist state and whether United States would support it, to which he replied, “I have not seen anything specifically about the - such a bill, and obviously we don’t — I’m not going to comment on whatever pending legislation may be coming in that regard.” He, however, added that US would continue to work with Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In an effort to reduce the pressure within Pakistan, the State Department spokesperson, said, “We are confident that Pakistan has security controls they need on their arsenal.” The statement was made in response to a question on whether Pakistan’s nuclear bombs are safe from the hands of terrorists.

Despite Pakistan’s repeated efforts to involve the international community in the Kashmir issue, Kirby said that Washington’s position has not changed and it will not interfere in solving the Kashmir issue.

“We want this to be worked out between both sides, the issue of Kashmir.,” he said.