Islamabad:
Stating that Pakistan was at a "critical point" of history, the US on Wednesday offered to stand soldier-to-soldier with the country in its fight against "tenacious and brutal terror groups".
"This is not Pakistan's fight alone," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced hours after a car bomb in Peshawar killed over 90 people and injured over 200.
"Pakistan is in the midst of struggle against tenacious and brutal terror groups who kill innocent people and terrorise communities," she told reporters and pledged US support at what she called a critical point in Pakistan's history.
"These terrorists are committed to destroying what is dear to us as much as they are committed to destroying what is dear to you and to all people. So this is our struggle as well," Clinton told a joint press conference after her meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Saying anti-terrorism remains a "very high priority", the top US diplomat said Washington wanted to broaden its engagement with Islamabad.
On her maiden visit to Pakistan after assuming office, Clinton is meeting President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Clinton said that all militants are part of a "syndicate" with Al-Qaida playing a key role in promoting the Taliban to carry out audacious attack like the one on the Pakistan Army's General Headquarters.
"In recent weeks Pakistan has endured a barrage of attacks and I would like to convey my sympathy and that of the American people to people of Pakistan," Clinton said.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said the terrorist attacks being faced by Pakistan on a "daily basis" will not shake the government's resolve and determination to eliminate extremism.
"We will not buckle and we will fight you because we want stability and peace in Pakistan," he said, adding the militants are on the run after being defeated in the Swat.
Clinton, however, indicated that the US would be willing to work with all elements who renounce violence and are not part of Al-Qaida.
"Let's sort out the hard core (Taliban) and make sure we defeat them. But if there are people who wish to renounce violence and begin to get reintegrated back into society, we should at least be open to that and deal with it on a case-by-case, individual-by-individual basis," said Clinton.
She refused to be drawn into the debate on whether there are "good Taliban" and made no reference to contentious issues like differences between the US and Pakistan on conditions attached to economic aid.
Asked if she agreed with the definition of "good Taliban", she replied: "I don't know about good but I know that there are people who are caught up in the Taliban movement who may well be less than committed to any cause."
In response to another query on whether the Pakistani military is acting against militant networks led by Haqqani and Hekmatyar that carry out attacks on forces in Afghanistan, Clinton said, "the government of Pakistan has been paying attention to all of these groups because there are connections among all of these groups".
The "fight in South Waziristan is of the paramount importance to the government and people of Pakistan",she said.
Clinton is visiting Pakistan at a time when bilateral ties are under considerable strain, mainly due to the Pakistani military's objections to conditions attached to US military aid, and there has been a sharp increase in anti-American sentiments.
She said the US had agreed to "resume and intensify the strategic dialogue" with Pakistan as part of efforts "to turn the page to a new partnership with not only the government but the people of a democratic Pakistan".
Clinton also announced that the US will soon begin implementing the first phase of an energy programme aimed at promoting energy efficiency in Pakistan and repairing and upgrading power stations that are not operating at their full capacity.
The US will provide better equipment for the Tarbela dam and replace 10,000 tube well pumps to save energy in the first phase. More aid will be provided in this sector in future with the approval of the US Congress, she added.