Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, while speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, said that criticism against Pakistan by certain Congressmen was not reflective of the actual US policy.
The adviser briefed the House over the remarks made by the US congressional panel which demanded cutting off all US assistance to Pakistan in order to persuade Islamabad to act against the Afghan Taliban groups allegedly using its territory to launch operations into Afghanistan.
“The US State Department, just a day after Congress’ hearing, publically recognised Pakistan’s meaningful progress in eliminating safe havens of terrorists and also recognised the fact the country has paid huge cost fighting terrorism.”
He also informed the upper house that the Foreign Relations Committee of US congress closely observes developments in Pak-US relations as Pakistan is major recipient of US assistance.
“Interest of the Congress is understandable regarding how Pakistan spends its assistance which should be helping the US in achieving its objectives,” Aziz said.
“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and our military leadership have met the Congressional committee leaders during their visits,” Aziz informed the senate.
Pakistan is vigilant and is closely engaging with the US at various levels to ensure its national interest and priorities are duly considered by the US decision makerd, he maintained.
“For making effective linkages with the next administration and to neutralise the negative moves of anti-Pakistan lobbies, we are also in the process of hiring a professional lobbying firm in Washington,” he added.
