ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The prime minister’s adviser on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz has said that there is no trust deficit between Pakistan and the United States as relations between the two countries are heading in the right direction.
In an interview with BBC, the adviser said that strategic dialogue which was suspended since 2010 was restored and military officials of the two sides are exchanging visits to enhance bilateral ties.
His statement comes as the Pakistan’s army chief General Raheel Sharif is currently on a seven-day visit to the United States to explore the possibilities of further enhancing mutually beneficial relationship.
The Pakistan’s army chief has held a series of high-level meetings with the US officials at the US Central Command (CENTCOM) Headquarters in Florida.
In a meeting between General Raheel and the US CENTCOM Chief General Lloyd Austin, the latter paid tributes to Pakistan army for its commitment, professionalism and achievement in fight against terror.
The adviser said that Pakistan continues operation against all militant groups without any discrimination.
The premier’s adviser said that Pakistan has taken tough measures against militants, targeting US forces inside Afghanistan. He said that ability of militants to strike and hit infrastructures have been destroyed.
Sartaj Aziz said that all militants are being hunted down to flush out terrorists for peace and stability in the country.
The adviser further said that the Afghan Taliban are Afghanistan’s problem and Haqqani Network is a part of it. He said that Pakistan will encourage talks between Afghan government and Taliban.
Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan and Afghanistan during recent visit of the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to Islamabad agreed that they would not allow their respective sides to be used against each others.
The issue of absconding Taliban leaders hiding in Afghanistan was also taken up with the Afghan president, he said.
Moreover, the adviser said that Pakistan should not target militants who do not threaten the country’s security.
“Why should America’s enemies unnecessarily become our enemies,” Sartaj Aziz said.
