The United States is likely to offer Pakistan its plan to resolve the contentious drone attacks’ issue with a proposal to limit attacks, and US Secretary of State John Kerry would discuss its details with the would-be prime minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit to Islamabad after the formation of a new Pakistani government.
Kerry is all set to visit Pakistan soon after Nawaz takes oath as the prime minister, diplomatic sources said.
They said Kerry would discuss the US exit strategy for Afghanistan with the new Pakistani leadership, which envisages withdrawal of US-led NATO forces from the war-torn country by 2014.
“The Obama administration is anxious to begin its talks on Afghanistan reconciliation process with Nawaz and the other senior officials of his government as soon as possible and that is why it has decided to send Kerry to Pakistan soon after new rulers take over in Islamabad,” a source said, seeking anonymity.
Nonetheless, he said the US administration also knew the problems in relations with Pakistan and felt the need to settle the contentious issue of drone attacks in Pakistani Tribal Areas, therefore, the problem would be discussed in detail when Kerry arrived in Islamabad.
In the past, there had been reports about a secret agreement between Pakistan and the US for carrying out drone strikes in the Tribal Areas, but sources said Pakistani officials denied the impression strongly and wanted the US to halt the attacks completely.
A source said Kerry was expected to make an offer to Pakistan about the reduction in number of strikes, telling Pakistani officials that attacks would be carried out against high-value targets of al Qaeda and the Taliban only and in limited numbers.
However, he said it would be a daunting task for Kerry to impress upon Pakistani authorities to accept the plan. “Pakistani officials want cessation of drone strikes and that had been conveyed to Washington several times in the past,” the source said.
Another source said Kerry would also seek afresh Pakistan’s help for the success of Afghanistan reconciliation process and ask for the use of Islamabad’s ‘good offices’ to bring the Afghan Taliban to the table of negotiations.
“The US Secretary would discuss with Pakistani leadership the ongoing row and tensions between Islamabad and Kabul and he would urge both to improve their strained ties,” he said.
A Pakistani official said authorities expected Kerry’s visit at some point during the next month after the formation of new government.
He said Pakistani officials would discuss all issues of bilateral interest with Kerry and hoped that the visit would help bring further improvement in bilateral ties.