Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Experts termed Pak-US delegation meeting a timely interaction between the two countries saying Pakistan rightly pointed out to the US for strict border management on Pak-Afghan border, taking action against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Pakistan also rightly expressed concerns over US open campaigning for India’s membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

The US delegation comprised Richard Olson and Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Dr Peter Lavo during the meeting on Friday with. Pakistani delegation represented by Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and Aizaz Chaudhry, Foreign Secretary.In another meeting with Army Chief, Gen Raheel Sharif on the same day, American delegation was joined by Gen John Nicholson, Commander Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.

While speaking on the outcome of the meeting Massood Khan, Director General, Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) told Daily Times that it is a good and timely engagement. But it will take a time to repair the damage, remove misgivings and bring relations back on track.

Commenting on views expressed by both delegations in the meetings he said that Pakistan has taken credible action against all outfits, including the Haqqani Group, which has largely relocated to Afghanistan. “We have rightly asked the US to spur and steer security apparatus in Afghanistan to go after terrorists who are targeting Pakistan from Afghan soil. And US itself should take action against TTP” he added.

Dr Rifaat Hussain, Prominent Analyst and Professor of National University of Science and Technology on having been contacted by Daily Times said that Pakistan took the opportunity to convey its concerns to Washington regarding Indian continued interference in Pakistan as well as use of Afghanistan soil to destabilize Pakistan.

He said that for the first time ever, Islamabad asked Washington to take punitive action against TTP which has taken refugees in Afghanistan. Americans know where Mullah Fazalullah is but have been shy of hitting his hideouts.

Dr Hussain said that Pakistan has told the visiting the Americans that such a policy is untenable and can further aggravate its relations with Pakistan. Pakistan also conveyed to the American its deep sense of unhappiness over the US official backing of Indian bid to join NSG. America has been openly campaigning for India’s membership of NSG while giving a cold shoulder to Pakistan’s desire to join the NSG.

He said that Pakistan has warned the US that in view of US explicit support for India to be made member of NSG it would not be possible for Pakistan to exercise nuclear restraint while it is being kept out of the NSG. The meetings were frank in which Pakistan put forth its concerns candidly. Pakistan did not sugar-quote its deep concern over the adverse implications of deepening and broadening of Indo-US strategic ties.