US sends officials to “appease” Pakistan after cutting security aid
Pakistan has urged the United States to boost bilateral ties during the maiden visit of a US delegation led by Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice G. Wells to Pakistan.
Pakistan on January 15 urged the United States to promote bilateral relations during the first visit of a US delegation led by Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice G. Wells to Pakistan since Washington suspended security aid to Islamabad.
A statement from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said Ms. Wells arrived in the capital Islamabad on January 15 and met with Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua to update her on recent counter-terrorism operations.
Ms. Wells stressed the need to strengthen intelligence cooperation between the two sides to improve coordination in counter-terrorism efforts while Ms. Janjua affirmed that bilateral relations need to be promoted in an environment of trust and mutual respect.
The statement added that the US delegation was informed of recent counterterrorism operations that had significantly improved the security situation in Pakistan and the region, but did not specify what these actions were.
Ms. Janjua said that strengthening border management mechanisms between Pakistan and Afghanistan is vital to address concerns related to cross-border movement. She also expressed concern over the use of Afghan territory by hostile elements against Pakistan.
This is the first visit to Pakistan by a senior US official since January 4, when Washington announced it would stop funding Pakistan until Islamabad took "decisive" steps against terrorist organizations.
In another related development, on the same day, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph F. Dunford, affirmed that the US wants to maintain its relationship with Pakistan, which has been strained in recent weeks as Washington has continuously pressured Islamabad on the issue of suppressing militant forces.
Speaking to a group of reporters during a visit to Brussels (Belgium), Mr. Dunford stated: "We do not agree on everything. However, we want a more effective relationship with Pakistan and I will continue to work to achieve this"./.
