Future drone strikes will be detrimental to ties, Pakistan tells US

Pakistan on Friday told the United States that any future drone strikes conducted in its territory would be detrimental to the relationship between the two countries.

Sartaj Aziz, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, conveyed the sentiments to the visiting US delegation, on Friday, reports the Dawn.

The delegation was led by the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Olson and Senior Adviser and Senior Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the US National Security Council, Dr. Peter Lavoy. The Pakistan side was represented by Aziz and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry.

Taking a strong exception to the drone strike in Balochistan on May 21 that killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, Aziz told the US officials, " That was not only a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and breach of the principles of the United Nation's Charter, but has also vitiated bilateral ties."

The two sides also held discussions on bilateral relations, regional security situation and the Afghan peace process in wake of the US drone strikes in Pakistan, said a Foreign Office statement.

The adviser expressed that the drone strike had seriously undermined the ongoing efforts for Afghan peace and reconciliation process at a time when Pakistan along with other Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) countries, was engaged in serious efforts to revive peace talks between Afghan Government and the Taliban.

Aziz reminded the US delegation about the QCG's fifth meeting on May 18 this year when it was decided that peace negotiations remained the only option for a political settlement.

Islamabad also said it is pursuing its objective of eliminating all militants and terrorists from its soil in accordance with the National Action Plan, in response to US concerns over alleged safe havens of Taliban in Pakistan.

It also informed in the meeting action by Afghan forces against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan operatives in Afghanistan was expected and such steps would reduce mistrust between both nations.