US National Security
Adviser Susan Rice met Prime Minister on Sunday to press concerns over attacks
launched by militants based in Pakistan, officials said.
The visit to
Islamabad, part of an Asian tour that included an earlier stop in China, comes
amid uncertainty over whether the United States will release $300 million in
military aid to Pakistan.
Media reports have
suggested the money could be held back if the United States determines Pakistan
is not doing enough to combat the Haqqani network, which has launched some of
the deadliest attacks in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Rice “will address
areas of mutual interest and of concern, including terrorist and militant
attacks emanating from Pakistani soil”, a senior US official who asked not to
be identified told Reuters. The official said Rice’s visit was not in
response to recent escalating tension between Pakistan and arch-rival India,
who cancelled planned peace talks last weekend.
Nine people were
killed during an exchange of fire on Friday along a border disputed by India
and Pakistan.
The United States has
urged Pakistan and India to get reconciliation talks back on track.
Rice met PM Nawaz on
Sunday and was expected to meet General Raheel Sharif, the army chief of staff,
later in the day.
“Dr Rice expressed
deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the efforts to root
out terrorism and extremism and the success achieved so far,” a statement from
the PM House said.
“Rice underscored the
importance of strong Pakistan-US relations. She noted the positive direction of
ongoing cooperation between the two countries especially in the areas of
defence, economy and energy sectors,” according to the PM House.
The meeting between
the US national security adviser and the premier focused on matters of
bilateral interest and the future of Pakistan-US relations.
The premier said that
the United States is an important partner of Pakistan in all areas especially
economy, defence and counter-terrorism. “Pakistan sees its relations with the
US as a partnership which is in the interest of the two countries, the region
and the world.”
Further, PM Nawaz
said he is looking forward to his visit to the US in October this year as an
opportunity to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
Rice was accompanied
by US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson and Senior Director for South Asian
Affairs at the US National Security Council Dr Peter Lavoy. Further, Prime
Minister’s Adviser on National Security Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to
Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary also
participated in the meeting.
Pakistan Army has
been waging a fierce offensive against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its
allies in North Waziristan, near the Afghan border, since last year.
Some have questioned
whether the leadership of the Haqqani network, which is allied with but
separate to the Taliban, had been allowed to leave to avoid the brunt of the
assault.
The United States is
also keen to gain Pakistan’s help in resurrecting peace talks between the
Afghan Taliban and the government in Kabul.
The tentative process
toward negotiating an end to almost 14 years of war in Afghanistan was thrown
into disarray last month with the revelation that long-time Taliban leader
Mullah Omar had been dead for two years.
The US national
security adviser’s visit to Islamabad comes as Pakistan and India trade barbs
and bullets.
During what should be
a day-long visit, Rice will interact with Pakistan’s top civil and military
leadership on regional issues.
According to reports,
after meeting the premier, Rice will meet Army Chief General Raheel Sharif as
well.
Although the reason
for Rice’s visit is unclear, it is speculated that growing tensions between
Pakistan and India will likely be an area of focus. The US has expressed
concern over the recent skirmishes along the Line of Control and the working
boundary. Washington has also voiced disappointment over the cancellation of
proposed talks between the national security advisers of Pakistan and India and
urged the two neighbours to resume dialogue.
The prevailing
regional situation, particularly efforts to restore peace in Afghanistan, is
also likely to be discussed.
Pakistan’s civil and
military leadership on Friday assailed Indian forces for flouting all
international norms and targeting the country’s civilian population as the two
neighbours exchanged the deadliest fire in recent months along the border.
While the Foreign
Office summoned India’s high commissioner to register a strong protest over the
unprovoked Indian firing, army chief General Raheel Sharif condemned New Delhi
for ‘crossing all limits to terrorise Pakistan’s civilian population’ without
any regard to all international conventions and norms.
Cross-border firing killed
at least nine people on Friday, the day India marked the 50th anniversary of a
war between the two nations.
Last week, the
scheduled talks between national security advisers of both countries were
called off just hours before Sartaj Aziz was set to fly to New Delhi.
Express Tribune Pakistan
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