Islamabad: Pakistan has said that the recent Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Admiral Mike Mullen visit to Pakistan had helped remove misunderstandings between the two countries to a great extent.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahmina Janjua in her weekly briefing on Saturday said that during discussions, the leadership of both the countries indicated their reservations and now they understood each other’s point of view in a better manner.
Janjua said that Pakistan and the US have agreed to continue combat against terrorism, conduct joint operations, share information, ensure return of peace and stability to Afghanistan and facilitate the Afghan-led process for peace and reconciliation.
The spokesperson said, “Pakistan, Afghanistan and America have formed a core group to promote the process of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.”
She said that two meetings of the group had already been held and the third one would be taken place by the end of next month in Kabul.
The spokeswoman said there was realization within the US that Pakistan had to play a very crucial role in any process of reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan. “Pakistan fully stands by Afghan people in this endeavour,” she added.
She said it became evident during Hilary’s visit that the US wished to work with Pakistan and was ready to address its concerns.
“It wants to take fully on board Pakistan’s core national interests and the United States underscored the concept of partnership and equality during these talks,” she added.
The two sides, she said, also agreed to intensify bilateral engagement as well as to recommence preparatory work for strategic dialogue process.
Janjua said as soon as the preparatory work was done, the dates for the strategic dialogue would be decided.
She said the two countries agreed that there would be greater transparency and information sharing in the context of joint operations.
About drone attacks, she said, “the issue has been intensively discussed with the United States and during yesterday’s meeting the Pakistani leadership conveyed the concerns of people of Pakistan about drone attacks and violation of sovereignty as reflected in the unanimous resolution of the Parliament”.
The spokeswoman said that America fully appreciated Pakistan’s contribution and sacrifices in war against terror.
Commenting about remarks of Hilary Clinton regarding presence of so-called safe havens of terrorists in Pakistan, the spokesperson said, “Pakistan is suffering due to terrorism on daily basis”.
“Pakistan is committed to eliminate terrorism and extremism from its soil,” she added.
The spokesperson said that 12th round of talks between Pakistan and India on Siachen issue would begin in New Delhi on Monday. Defence secretaries of both the countries would attend the meeting.
She said that Pakistan wanted to resolve all outstanding issues with India through the dialogue process.
Answering a question, Janjua said that security and safety of Pakistan’s strategic installations was that of international standards and there should be no doubt in that regard.
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