Adviser to the Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday said the Untied States had given assurance to Pakistan that CIA drones would not target Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during the government's proposed peace talks.
Aziz disclosed this while briefing Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs regarding the Prime Minister's recent visits to the US and UK, which he termed highly positive and constructive. After the meeting when reporters pressed the adviser for further detail over the US assurance not to carry out drone strikes during the talks process with the Taliban, he declined to share more details.
However, he admitted before the Senate panel that the plan for the negotiation with the TTP and the issue of drone attacks was not fully covered during the Prime Minister's talks with Obama administration. On negotiation with the TTP, he said that the US side agreed to support it but on drone strikes, "they said they would not spare Hakimullah Mehsud - former TTP chief or al-Zawahri - al Qaeda leader, though we have cautioned them".
Aziz termed the recent drone attack killing TTP Chief Hakimullah Mehsud a setback, saying the timing was not appropriate as the government was all set to initiate the proposed peace talks with the Taliban. "They (Untied States) have given a little concession, as they will not target the TTP during the peace talks," he disclosed, adding that prior to the commitment they had conveyed that "they would carry on against those that are on their radar".
He told the Senate panel that during Sharif-Obama meeting, the Prime Minister raised the issue of drone attacks and it was conveyed that they were against Pakistan sovereignty and counterproductive in the ongoing terror war. Though the US side shared the feelings that existed within the Obama administration on the issue, it stated that they had achieved 60 to 65 percent targets and the drone operation would continue for completing the remaining targets.
During the meeting, President Obama stated, "Drones are a 'sensitive issue' and US would wish to get out of the business of drones and not engage in operation that had domestic and international political cost. About the present status of talks with the Taliban, no talks were being carried out with the Taliban at the moment, adding that they were waiting for the response of the TTP current leadership Mullah Fazlullah. According to him though the TTP spokesman has recently issued a statement against further talks with the government, yet there was no direct interaction with Fazlullah in this regard.
Responding to quires by committee members, the adviser dispelled the impression that the issue of Dr Shakil Afridi was raised by the Prime Minister and not by the US side, adding in fact it was first raised by Congressmen from California - a group formed for the release of Dr Shakil Afridi in the US Congress - during a meeting with the Prime Minister. However, he said that the Prime Minister told them it was a legal issue and currently it was before the country's court.
He further said that the Prime Minster also requested the Obama administration for the repatriation of Dr Afia Siddiqui, for which he said that some arrangement were being made. Sharing further details of Shairf-Obama meeting, he said President Obama underscored the need for close co-operation between US and Pakistan, and rebuilding trust and confidence. He said that President Obama also noted the progress made by the two sides on strategic dialogue, counter-terrorism, security and economic issues, adding that he was convinced that strategic relationship with Pakistan is critical for US.
He said that the US President also emphasised importance of increased US-Pakistan-Afghanistan co-ordination to prevent cross-border militancy, besides briefing the Prime Minister on the current and future scenarios in Afghanistan and Bilateral Security Agreement.
Additionally, President Obama asked as to what the US could do to help Pakistan with its economic progress and to meeting other challenges. On the energy co-operation, the adviser said the President also highlighted that the US had already helped add 1000 MW of electricity and another 1500 MW would be added soon. President Obama also promised to encourage US investors in the energy sector and advised that Pakistan should review its pricing policy. He said that Prime Minister Sharif briefed President Obama about his government's priorities on "4Es"-fighting extremism, economic reforms, tackling energy crisis and expanding education. He also briefed the US President about Pakistan relations with Indian and the positive engagement with Afghanistan.
Responding to various quires regarding Coalition Support Fund (CSF), the adviser said Pakistan had requested for some arrangement that some portion of the fund should be earmarked beyond 2014 for the border management and a mechanism in this regard was being chalked out.
He said, "The expected economic recession in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal is a source of serious concern for Pakistan, as a large number of refugee influx is likely into Pakistan. To a question, he said that Pakistan's economy has suffered $80 to 90 billion since 9/11 incident and the US appreciated Pakistan's sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
About the Prime Minister's UK visit, the adviser briefed the committee that the trip was very positive as the 4th trilateral meeting of Afghanistan-Pakistan and UK remained fruitful in which it was decided that Prime Minister would visit Kabul shortly. The committee also expressed dissatisfaction over the steps taken by ministry of interior to recover two Czech women abducted from Balochistan in March 2013 and directed the ministry to update the panel regarding the progress to recover the two foreign tourists on weekly basis.
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