- US delegation calls on PM Nawaz, COAS
- PM urges Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) mechanism to facilitate Afghan reconciliation
ISLAMABAD: A five-member US Senate delegation, led by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Senator John McCain, on Monday, called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad.
Welcoming the congressional delegation, the prime minister noted that as longstanding strategic allies, a sustained and strong Pak-US partnership was essential to deal with the various challenges confronting the region.
He informed the delegation about his government’s efforts to combat terrorism and that its success could be measured by the markedly improved security situation in Pakistan. He also highlighted the economic turnaround that manifested in enhanced investor interest and confidence in Pakistan.
The prime minister underscored the government’s commitment to good neighbourly relations, and highlighted various initiatives to improve relations with Afghanistan and India.
On Afghanistan, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support efforts aimed at lasting peace and stability. He said that concerted efforts were needed for a politically negotiated settlement under an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process.
He called a strong partnership between the US, Afghanistan and Pakistan as a prerequisite for achieving sustainable peace in Afghanistan. In this regard, he also stressed the importance of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) mechanism to facilitate Afghan reconciliation.
With reference to Indian Occupied Kashmir, he expressed serious concern over the gross human rights violations and brutal repression of unarmed Kashmiris. He stressed the legitimacy of the Kashmir cause and urged the world community, especially the United States to play its role in ending the sufferings of the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir.
Thanking the prime minister, Senator McCain agreed that continued close cooperation between the US and Pakistan was essential for securing peace and stability in the region. He said that US attached importance to its relations with Pakistan, which remained a close friend and ally. The senators appreciated the contributions and sacrifices made by Pakistan and the successes achieved in the fight against terrorism.
US DELEGATION MEETS COAS: The delegation along with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited South Waziristan Agency (SWA) on Monday.
The delegation was briefed about Pakistan-Afghan border security, including recent measures for its improvement through fencing and enhanced surveillance.
The delegation was also briefed on socio-economic development efforts in the agency, said an ISPR press release.
The delegation was flown over the agency to have an aerial view of the border area, newly constructed forts and posts, besides development works, including schools, colleges, hospitals, sports stadiums, water supply schemes and road infrastructure.
The delegation, having seen the realities on the ground, acknowledged efforts of the army and the local tribes for reestablishing peace in the area.
The senators reiterated the importance of institutionalised Pak-Afghan border security coordination and cooperation mechanism.
Later, the delegation was scheduled to visit the Line of Control, but it could not get through due to bad weather.
The COAS thanked Senators for their visit and their support in socio-economic uplift of Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
To date, the American government has also provided 9.9 billion rupees in supporting law enforcement personnel in FATA, across a wide range of projects, including the 1.4 billion rupee Takhta Baig – Mattani road completed in August 2016, and construction of more than 100 border outposts and defensive structures to support the government its counter-terrorism operations.
The US congressional delegation at the end of its visit thanked the Pakistani hosts for hospitality.
Other members of the delegation included Senators Lindsey Graham (Republican), Elizbeth Warren (Democrat), Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat) and David Perdue (Republican). The Prime Minister was assisted by Minister for Finance
The prime minister was assisted by Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, National Security Adviser Nasser Khan Janjua and other senior officials.
