By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan
The United States announced on Tuesday a $250 million grant for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons who are preparing to return home next month.
The announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Sartaj Aziz, on the second day of his visit to Islamabad on Tuesday.
Kerry, who travelled to Islamabad from New Delhi on Monday, led the U.S. delegation that participated in a fresh round of strategic talks between Islamabad and Washington.
Kerry later addressed a joint press conference and along with Aziz lauded the ongoing military operations in restless North Waziristan region and adjoining tribal areas, saying the army onslaught had crippled the infrastructure of militant groups, especially the Haqqani network.
"The Haqqani network and other terrorist groups are common enemies of Pakistan and the U.S. Action against these groups is in the joint interest of both countries," Kerry said.
"The U.S. will continue to support Pakistan in its war against terrorism," he added.
He said the U.S. role in neighboring Afghanistan had changed but was not over.
"U.S. forces will continue to train Afghan forces to strengthen their capabilities to defend their country," Kerry said in response to a question regarding the U.S. pullout from the country.
Expressing concern over escalating tensions between Pakistan and India along their eastern border, Kerry urged the two rivals to work to defuse tensions through diplomatic channels.
He said his country was ready to play a role in defusing tensions between the two nuclear rivals.
Kerry then visited the headquarters of the Pakistani army and met army chief General Raheel Sharif.
The two discussed issues ranging from ongoing military operations in the tribal belt and the post-pullout situation in Afghanistan, according to an army spokesperson.
He also laid a floral wreath on the monument of martyrdom and paid tribute to Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives in the ongoing operations.
