Pakistan has forcefully pleaded that frequent missile strikes in tribal areas are tarnishing American image and fuelling anti-US sentiments among the people. Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar told the visiting American officials that frequent missile strikes in Pakistani territory are causing problems for the government.
Which is trying its level best to bring peace and harmony in the region through dialogue among different groups, says a statement issued here on Monday. He was talking to General David Petraeus, US Commander US Centcom and Richard Boucher, US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs who called on him here.
General David Petraeus met Pakistan Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar as part of his first international trip since taking over US Central Command on Friday. General Petraeus and Richard Boucher arrived in Pakistan on Sunday to have dialogue with Pakistani leadership regarding war on terror and worsening situation in Afghanistan.
His first visit to Pakistan as a Central Command indicates increasing US concerns about al Qaeda, ongoing war in Afghanistan and Pakistan's present situation. US Ambassador Anne Patterson was also present during the meeting. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, Pak-US ties, present regional situation and US drone attacks.
Ahmed Mukhtar also informed the American officials that missile strikes are generating anti-American sentiments as well as creating outrage among people. At the Defence Ministry, officials also briefed Petraeus on Pakistani military operations against insurgents in the tribal belt. According to the statement, both sides stressed the need for enhanced co-operation to eliminate the scourge of terrorism. The missiles strike in tribal areas of Pakistan shows US impatience, marring Pakistan efforts for bringing permanent peace in the region.
General David Petraeus, Commander US Centcom and Richard Boucher, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, also called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Tariq Majeed at Joint Staff Headquarters and Chief of Army Staff General (COAS) Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani.
General Petraeus held wide-ranging discussions with CJCSC, General Tariq Majeed and COAS General Kayani, on matters of mutual interest between the two countries and other avenues of military co-operation. They also exchanged views on current security environment of the region.
Defence analysts were of the view that the visit of US officials indicated that how crucial the US considers Pakistan's support in war on terror, especially against the militants in its neighbouring Afghanistan. But it also comes amid Pakistani calls to halt US missile strikes on suspected militant targets on its soil. US wants Pakistan more crackdown on insurgents who use pockets of its north-west region as sanctuaries where they plan attacks on US and Nato troops in Afghanistan, where violence is running at its highest levels since 2001.
Comments
Comments are closed.