On behalf of the US, he requested that this operation should be completed before the installation of the new political administration in Afghanistan, it said.
“We appreciate Pakistan's efforts to further Afghan-led reconciliation and we remain hopeful that we will conclude a Bilateral Security Agreement later this year that will enable us to continue to train, advise, and assist Afghan forces and go after the remnants of core al-Qaeda.
“This is deeply in our interest and in the interest of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the rest of South and Central Asia,” Burns said.
Observing that militancy continues to threaten Pakistan's revival, Burns said few countries have paid a heavier price than Pakistan in the fight against extremism.
