US drone strike in Noshki vitiated bilateral ties, Aziz tells US delegates

US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Olson and Senior Adviser and Director for South Asian Affairs at the National Security Council, Dr. Peter Lavoy called on Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry. They held candid discussions on bilateral relations, regional security situation and the Afghan peace process in the wake of May 21 drone strike in Balochistan.

The Adviser conveyed a strong message to the United States that the May 21 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.

He 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.

Recalling that in QCG’s fifth meeting on May 18 decided peace negotiations to be the only option for a political settlement, Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry 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, read the statement. 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, the US delegates were told. These steps would also help to promote better relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan and reduce mistrust.

On the occasion, Dr. Peter Lavoy, while conveying President Obama’s good wishes for the PM Nawaz Sharif’s speedy recovery, said that the US president was committed to improving relations with Pakistan as emphasized during his (Sharif) visit to Washington in October 2015.