Pak-US should have consideration of each other’s interests: Sherry

Pakistan’s Ambassador to US Sherry Rehman said on Tuesday that both Pakistan and the United States should have consideration for the other’s interests, adding that Pakistan had incurred losses of $78 billion in the international war against terrorism.
Speaking at a ceremony in Washington, she condemned the recent attacks in Kabul and said that Pakistan was with its Afghan brothers in their difficult times. However, she emphasised that Pakistan was also suffering from acts of terrorism on a daily basis. She emphatically stated that Pakistan has no connection with the terrorist organisations that are creating unrest in the region.
Rehman called the attack on Salala checkpost an act of violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. She said differences between the US and Pakistan arose because of the Salala incident.
She also said the parliament’s recommendations on Pakistan’s foreign and defence policies had a historic significance. “Negotiations with the US will be held in the light of the parliament’s recommendations”, she said, adding that “Pakistan will in no way compromise on its sovereignty”.
Sherry said while the US has expressed concerns about its defense, Pakistan too has “red lines” that should not be crossed. She said that both the countries needed to build up confidence in bilateral relations.
“Pakistan and US should respect the interests of one and other,” Sherry said.
The ambassador said that Pakistan does not consider Afghanistan a “strategic backyard”.
She also said that Pakistan should not be held responsible for the recent deadly Afghanistan attacks carried out by militants, which killed almost 47 people. She said that Pakistan condemned the terrorist attacks, adding that the country stands by its Afghan brothers in the difficult situation, and wants to see a stable Afghanistan.