Pak-US anti-terror concert to continue

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and top US officials led by Senator John Kerry and National Security Adviser Susan Rice agreed on a counter-terrorism strategy ahead of the Wednesday summit with President Barack Obama at the White House. US President Barack Obama called upon the Congress to revive the assistance to Pakistan worth $300 million so that the relations with the South Asian country could be put in full gear. Although there is little progress on the key issue of drone strikes, a matter of great importance in Pakistan, and talks with the Taliban, officials on both sides are upbeat at the initial preparatory discussions held between John Kerry, Susan Rice and CIA Director John Brennan. On the drone issue, Pakistani officials are privately saying the two sides are at least talking if there is no major breakthrough yet. Asked about the possibility of the US agreeing to stop drone strikes, which have decreased but continued, a senior Pakistani official said: “Not immediately but at least the two sides are discussing that possibility.” Nawaz Sharif renewed Pakistan’s full commitment to Afghanistan during detailed counter-terrorism discussions on Monday and urged the US to put in place a proper setup in Kabul before leaving the country, sources said. At the start of his official visit, the prime minister met with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, NSA Chief Susan Rice and the CIA director; officials from both sides sounded upbeat that convergence on counter-terrorism strategy was nearing success. The senior official said the discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, the situation in Afghanistan, regional stability and the issues in Pakistan-India relations. “It was more along the lines how best Pakistan can support safe and fair elections in Afghanistan, help prevent attacks and move forward the reconciliation process in the country,” said another official, adding that Pakistan and the US have “very closely aligned” position on the reconciliation effort. “The discussions were frank and honest about critical issues in cooperation in counterterrorism measured,” a senior diplomat told The News.A senior American official said the US believes that Pakistan has a crucial role to play towards holding of elections in Afghanistan in a secure environment. During the meeting, the two sides also discussed the US role towards assisting Pakistan in the energy sector and creating conditions for a boost to bilateral trade and American investment in the country, a key element on the agenda of the prime minister. “Both agreed on the importance of continued counter-terrorism cooperation and emphasised that extremism was countered in part by opportunities arising from economic stability,” said a statement issued by the US State Department after the meeting. To that end, the statement said, the US as Pakistan’s largest trading partner “remains committed to an economic relationship increasingly based on trade and investment.” A press release issued by the Pakistani Embassy on Sunday night said: “The Secretary of State John F. Kerry hosted a dinner in honour of the Prime Minister and his delegation at the State Department, soon after his arrival in the US capital late this afternoon. From the US side, senior Administration officials including Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Director CIA John Brennan and SRAP James Dobbins assisted the Secretary of State. Welcoming the Prime Minister, Secretary Kerry expressed the confidence that the visit would provide the necessary impetus to further deepen and expand the US-Pakistan relations. Pakistan was an important country in the region and the US would be working with the democratic government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in all areas of bilateral relations under the revived mechanism of the Strategic Dialogue, the secretary stressed. He further appreciated the bold decisions taken by Prime Minister Sharif for reviving the economy and overcoming the energy shortages. The prime minister noted that he looked forward to meeting with President Obama at the White House on 23 October. This would be the first summit level interaction between the two countries after the historic democratic transition in Pakistan. The prime minister reiterated his determination to revive economy and improve the law and order situation in Pakistan. Outlining his vision of promoting peace and stability in the region, the prime minister emphasised the need to work together towards meeting the common challenges of extremism and terrorism. Other matters of mutual interest including regional stability and situation in Afghanistan were also discussed during the dinner meeting. The prime minister was accompanied by Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Finance Minister Mr. Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani. Earlier, upon his arrival at the Andrews Air Force Base in Washington for a three day official visit, the Prime Minister was accorded warm welcome by the senior officials of the White House and the Department of State. A smart contingent of the US armed services also presented guard of honour to the Prime Minister.