Pakistan conveys concern over halt in US military aid

Pakistan on Thursday conveyed its serious concern to Peter Lavoy, Special Assistant to the US President Barack Obama, over the halt of $300 million in military aid to the country, officials said.

Lavoy, who is also Senior Director for South Asia at the US National Security Council, held talks with Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry in Islamabad, amid tension over the blocking of the military aid.

"The Foreign Secretary lamented that despite Pakistan's indiscriminate action against all terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network, the US Administration had decided not to certify the concerted and forceful measures taken by Pakistan," Xinhua news agency cited the Foreign Ministry as saying in a statement.

US Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter decided against making a certification to Congress stating that Pakistan is taking sufficient action against the Haqqani network, a Taliban affiliate blamed for attacks on the US and allied personnel in Afghanistan, according to Washington Post.

Chaudhry also reiterated the resolve of the Pakistani leadership to not allow anyone to use Pakistan's soil against any country and apprised the Obama's envoy about the progress achieved during the military offensive in the Waziristan tribal region.

"Referring to certain recent developments that had placed a strain on the bilateral relationship, the Foreign Secretary stressed that continued engagement was important to resolve the differences of perception and understanding," the statement said.

Given the imperatives of peace, stability and security in the region, continued close cooperation between Pakistan and the US was very important to successfully fight terrorism and to attain the objectives shared by both countries, it said.

Lavoy's visit is part of the regular high level exchanges between the US and Pakistan.

--IANS

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