Drone strike that killed Taliban chief vitiated ties:Pak to US

Pakistan today told the US that the American drone strike on its soil that killed the Afghan Taliban chief had "vitiated" ties even as the two sides held "candid" talks on issues like dismantling of terror safe havens, Afghan peace talks and regional security.
A US delegation which included senior Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the US National Security Council Peter Lavoy and Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olson arrived here this morning and held talks with Pakistan's civilian and military leaders.
Lavoy called on Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry.

Aziz told the US officials that the May 21 drone strike in Balochistan, which killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, "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".
General John Nicholson, Commander Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, and Olson called on Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif.
"Regional security situation, with particular reference to border management and peace and stability in Afghanistan in the post the US drone strike came under discussion," an Inter-Services Public Relations statement said after the meeting.

Expressing "serious concern" on the US drone strike in Balochistan as a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty, General Raheel highlighted as to how it had impacted the mutual trust and respect and was counter productive in consolidating the gains of 'Operation Zarb-e-Azb' that was targeted at militants.

The army chief stressed that the US action was counter- productive in consolidating the gains of Pakistan military operation in the tribal regions.
"All efforts for durable peace in the region have to be synergised with shared commitment and responsibility in order to make them successful," Raheel was quoted as saying.
Raheel said that while the operation was launched against terrorists of all hues and sanctuaries of terrorists have been dismantled without discrimination, all stakeholders need to understand Pakistan's challenges with regard to porous border, inter-tribal linkages and decades-old presence of over three million refugees.
In response to US queries on safe havens in Pakistan for the Taliban, it was emphasised that Pakistan is already pursuing its objective of eliminating all militants and terrorists from its soil in accordance with the National Action Plan, a Pakistan Foreign Office statement said.

At the same time, Pakistan would have to safeguard its own security through better border management and early repatriation of Afghan refugees, it said.