deliberate and this is the murder of progress for hope and peace in the region,” Nisar had stated.
Officials confirming diplomatic contacts in Islamabad when the US made the assurance said, “Pakistan was informed (of the US pledge not to drone Taliban militants during the talks process) while engaging with the United States through normal diplomatic contacts (in Islamabad).”
In fact, so incensed was the Nawaz Sharif government that Olson was firmly told that it had been decided to instruct Pakistani ambassadors in the capitals of the P-5 member states to call at an appropriate level to brief the host governments on Pakistan’s concerns, with specific reference to the setback caused to the government’s peace process initiative by the latest drone attack.
On November 2, after Olson was summoned, the Foreign Office spokesman in a statement had said: “The government of Pakistan has been raising itsconcern over the drone strikes with the US administration and at the United Nations. The prime minister during his recent visit to the US had raised the issue with President Obama and other senior US leaders.”Agencies add: Sartaj Aziz told the Senate body that at present, no talks were being held with Taliban militants.
He also talked about the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan in 2014 and said an unstable Afghanistan was not in Pakistan’s interest. In case of fighting, Afghan refugees would again flood Pakistan, he added.
Regarding the Prime Minister’s recent US visit, he said Pakistan was interested in trade not in aid and the same message was conveyed to the Americans. The visit was significant as it had enhanced bilateral relations between the two countries, he added.
He said new chief of Tahrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Mulla Fazlullah was in Afghanistan not in Pakistan.The meeting was attended by senators Syeda Sughara Imam, Farhatullah Babar and Dr Muhammad Jahangir Badar, besides Secretary Foreign Affairs Jilal Abbas Jilani.
Aziz said Pakistan has demanded release of Dr Afiya Siddique. He said that Dr Shakil Afridi has been provided legal assistance but Pakistan has made no promises with US regarding handing over Afridi to US authorities.