In an interview with BBC, he said Pakistan has taken tough measures against militants, targeting US forces inside Afghanistan. He said ability of militants to strike and hit infrastructures have been destroyed.

Sartaj Aziz said all militants are being hunted down to flush out terrorists for peace and stability in the country.

To a question about Haqqani group, he said Afghan Taliban is an issue to be addressed by the Afghan government. He said Pakistan will encourage talks between Afghan government and Taliban.

Adviser on Foreign Affairs said there is no trust deficit between Pakistan and United States as relations between the two countries are heading in the right direction. He said strategic dialogue which was suspended since 2010 was restored and military officials of the two sides are exchanging visits to enhance bilateral ties.

Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan and Afghanistan during recent visit of Afghan president Ashraf Ghani to Islamabad agreed that they would not allow their respective sides to be used against each others.

He said the issue of absconding Taliban leaders hiding in Afghanistan was also taken up with the Afghan President.

(KH/PBC)