ISLAMABAD, June 10: Pakistan has told the United States that any drone strikes conducted by the latter in Pakistani territory in the future would be detrimental to the joint desire of both countries to further strengthened relationship.
According to the Spokesman of the Foreign Office Muhammad Nafees Zakaria, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz conveyed the sentiments during high-level talks between Pakistan officials and a visiting US delegation of senior White House officials on Friday.
Ambassador Richard Olson, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and Dr. Peter Lavoy, Senior Adviser and Director for South Asian Affairs at the National Security Council called on Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Mr. Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Secretary Mr. Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry.
They held candid discussions on bilateral relations, regional security situation and the Afghan peace process in the wake of 21 May drone strike in Balochistan.
The Adviser conveyed a strong message to the United States that the 21 May drone strike was not only a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and breach of the principles of the United Nation’s Charter, but has also vitiated bilateral ties. It was emphasized that any future drone strike in Pakistan will be detrimental to our common desire to strengthen relations.
The Adviser further expressed his concern that the drone strike had seriously undermined the ongoing efforts for Afghan peace and reconciliation process at a time when Pakistan, along with other Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) countries, was engaged in serious efforts to revive peace talks between Afghan Government and the Taliban.
The Foreign Secretary recalled that in QCG’s fifth meeting on 18 May 2016, it was decided that peace negotiations remained the only option for a political settlement. He emphasized that this would require collective efforts on the part of all QCG members to promote lasting peace in Afghanistan. In response to US queries on safe havens for Taliban, it was emphasized that Pakistan is already pursuing its objective of eliminating all militants and terrorists from its soil in accordance with the National Action Plan. At the same time, Pakistan would have to safeguard its own security through better border management and early repatriation of Afghan refugees.
Pakistan also expects action by Afghan forces against TTP operatives in Afghanistan. These steps would also help to promote better relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan and reduce mistrust.
Dr. Peter Lavoy, while conveying President Obama’s good wishes for the Prime Minister’s speedy recovery, said that President Obama was committed to improving relations with Pakistan as emphasized during Prime Minister’s visit to Washington in October 2015.
According to a private TV channel the meeting which continued for 75 minutes discussed regional security issues and a US drone strike in Noshki.
In the meeting Pakistan expressed its reservation over the drone strike in Noshki. The drone was an attack on sovereignty of Pakistan and violation of UN charter, the foreign office said.
Future drone strike will affect Pak-US relationship, the statement added. The foreign office maintained that the drone strike damaged the Afghan peace process.
The meeting was informed that Pakistan also expects action by Afghan forces against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operatives in Afghanistan. Such steps would reduce mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the officials said.-Sabah
- Latest
- Trending
