Afghan issue tops agenda as army chief meets US dignitaries

[ghazi52]

Afghan issue tops agenda as army chief meets US dignitaries

ISLAMABAD: United States Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Richard Olson and US Senator John McCain on Saturday met Army Cheif General Raheel Sharif at General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief apprised the US senator about the challenges faced by Pakistan in the ongoing war on terror and how they get multiplied when met with ineffective border management with Afghanistan.

Senator McCain, while acknowledging Pakistan’s successes in Zarb-i-Azb, said Pakistan army's achievements in counter-terrorism operations are phenomenal and reflect the country's determination to eliminate terrorism.

Stressing upon the need for better Pak-US relations, the senator said that Pakistan and United States need to cement relations in all dimensions and must strive for greater coordination for peace in the region and world at large.

A congressional delegation including senator Lindsey Graham and senator Joe Donnelly accompanied Senator McCain.

Earlier, the army chief met Special Representative Richard Olson and discussed matters relating to regional security.

High-level consultation mechanism

Olson also met met Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry and was briefed about creation of a high-level consultation mechanism between Pakistan and Afghanistan to address border management and other security issues.

The US ambassador appreciated Pakistan's efforts for long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan and stated that the US supported Pakistan's efforts on border management.

Emphasising the early repatriation of Afghan refugees, the foreign secretary said Pakistan wanted the return of refugees to take place with dignity and honour.

The international community including the US and UNHCR should lend their due support to these efforts, he added.

On Afghan reconciliation, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) as an effective forum to facilitate Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process.

US envoy lauds recent economic achievements

Olson also called on Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and lauded the minister for over on his recent economic achievements, including record tax revenue collection and the highest level of Forex reserves.

While discussing matters relating to the Afghan refugees, Olson said Pakistan's contribution in hosting the Afghan refugees was acknowledged and commended by the international community.

He said safe, early and permanent repatriation of refugees to their homeland was a priority. He expressed support for efforts aimed at strengthening Pak-Afghan bilateral relations.

Ishaq Dar said it was imperative to agree on a detailed road-map for safe and honourable repatriation of Afghan refugees.

 

[IceCold]

They have one tone when they visit Pakistan and another when they are back in the US. Wasn't Olson the guy who said Pakistan over plays India's role and Pakistan should rather focus on militants on its territory as if our concerns simply dont matter or they can go to hell.
And McCain was the guy who while cheering for India getting special partner status for defense items view that Obama made a hasty decision of selling F16 to Pakistan and they should had been left for the next administration.
US is a hypocrite and these words that both these gentlemen are saying are not worth the paper they are written on. We should not be giving in to such sugar coated BS but rather need to get tough. Why is US sending these representatives to Pakistan? We are not going against the Haqqanis this should be made clear and also that we are not going to play any role in bringing the Taliban to table. You killed their leader without our consent now suffer the consequences. If Afghanistan misbehaves we will teach them a lesson again and go make love to your new Girlfriend India,stop waisting our time with this nonsense of being Allies because we are anything but Allies.
Pakistan needs to shed this soft policy of hers specially on geopolitical issues. We need to get tough. A snub to US is in order. Everytime their state department speaks against us summon the US diplomat and give him a shut up call. Also highlight how US has failed to eliminate TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan and RAW and NDA continue to host anti Pakistan elements under US nose.

 

[sady]

They have one tone when they visit Pakistan and another when they are back in the US. Wasn't Olson the guy who said Pakistan over plays India's role and Pakistan should rather focus on militants on its territory as if our concerns simply dont matter or they can go to hell.
And McCain was the guy who while cheering for India getting special partner status for defense items view that Obama made a hasty decision of selling F16 to Pakistan and they should had been left for the next administration.
US is a hypocrite and these words that both these gentlemen are saying are not worth the paper they are written on. We should not be giving in to such sugar coated BS but rather need to get tough. Why is US sending these representatives to Pakistan? We are not going against the Haqqanis this should be made clear and also that we are not going to play any role in bringing the Taliban to table. You killed their leader without our consent now suffer the consequences. If Afghanistan misbehaves we will teach them a lesson again and go make love to your new Girlfriend India,stop waisting our time with this nonsense of being Allies because we are anything but Allies.
Pakistan needs to shed this soft policy of hers specially on geopolitical issues. We need to get tough. A snub to US is in order. Everytime their state department speaks against us summon the US diplomat and give him a shut up call. Also highlight how US has failed to eliminate TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan and RAW and NDA continue to host anti Pakistan elements under US nose.

As much as we would like this to happen, I think the stage is not to enter into confrontation with anyone and we should build silently till we can. Never go into a fight you are not sure you gonna win. However I do agree snub here and there and some spine builds national character and confidence. Prime example...Thori taraki kiya karli kal Taoon se marney waley aajkal humaray sir pe chalangain maar rahey hain.

 

[ZAC1]

F-16 are coming

 

[somebozo]

We have come to an age where no one takes American politicians seriously...their only power is their guns...

 

[cloud4000]

They have one tone when they visit Pakistan and another when they are back in the US. Wasn't Olson the guy who said Pakistan over plays India's role and Pakistan should rather focus on militants on its territory as if our concerns simply dont matter or they can go to hell.
And McCain was the guy who while cheering for India getting special partner status for defense items view that Obama made a hasty decision of selling F16 to Pakistan and they should had been left for the next administration.
US is a hypocrite and these words that both these gentlemen are saying are not worth the paper they are written on. We should not be giving in to such sugar coated BS but rather need to get tough. Why is US sending these representatives to Pakistan? We are not going against the Haqqanis this should be made clear and also that we are not going to play any role in bringing the Taliban to table. You killed their leader without our consent now suffer the consequences. If Afghanistan misbehaves we will teach them a lesson again and go make love to your new Girlfriend India,stop waisting our time with this nonsense of being Allies because we are anything but Allies.
Pakistan needs to shed this soft policy of hers specially on geopolitical issues. We need to get tough. A snub to US is in order. Everytime their state department speaks against us summon the US diplomat and give him a shut up call. Also highlight how US has failed to eliminate TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan and RAW and NDA continue to host anti Pakistan elements under US nose.

US is now showing Pakistan the carrot after using the stick. This is what Pakistan-US relations have been reduced to. It's up to Pakistan if want to continue this way.

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

Western powers are returning to their bases. This is real "Al Qaida" in action. When the fight is like "West vs West", Somme and Stalingrad are like down payments. American Civil War is like drinks before appetizer is served. With Brexit and imminent collapse of the EU, these scenes from history have the possibility to show their ugly faces again. As if these all aren't enough, China, which is meant to make the West cry*, wants to opportunely join the game. May we live in interesting times..

*"Let China sleep, when she wakes up the world will cry" - Napoleon

 

[FalconsForPeace]

US, Pakistani Officials Discuss Afghan Border Security

A group of influential American senators and other top officials begun an official trip to Pakistan on Saturday by meeting with the country's military chief to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and efforts to strengthen Pakistan's border security.

The congressional delegation includes Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican who is chairman of Senate Arms Services Committee; South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham; and Indiana Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly.

After the group met with General Raheel Sharif, the army chief reiterated that "a stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest," and that the relationship between the two countries was a key to regional peace.

Pakistan and the United States have long had uneasy relations. Ties have been strained recently over allegations that Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations focus only on militants linked to the anti-state Pakistani Taliban, and that Islamabad is not doing enough to uproot sanctuaries linked to Afghan militants, including the Haqqani Network terrorist group.

The alleged lack of progress on preventing Afghan insurgents from using Pakistani soil also recently prompted the U.S. Congress to stop the Obama administration from subsidizing the purchase of eight F-16 fighter planes it had promised to Islamabad.

Speaking prior to Saturday’s visit by the U.S. lawmakers, Army spokesman Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa insisted that Islamabad was committed to cracking down on militant groups involved in the Afghan conflict.

“Pakistan is not at all sheltering anyone and Pakistan is not aiding anyone, is not allowing its soil to be used for attacks across the border,” he said.

Drone strike

Relations have particularly deteriorated after the May 21 U.S. drone strike that killed leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Akthar Mansoor, in Pakistan.

Officials in Islamabad remain critical of the drone attack, insisting it derailed the efforts Pakistan was making to arrange peace talks between the Islamist insurgency and the Afghan government.

In a recent public talk in Washington, Richard Olson, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, again defended the Mansoor drone strike, dismissing criticism that it signaled waning U.S. interest in the peace process.

“This strike should make clear to all parties in the region that the United States is fully prepared to protect its interests," said Olson, who accompanied the U.S. lawmakers in Saturday’s talks in Rawalpindi, where the military is headquartered.

"Mullah Mansoor was an obstacle to peace, posed a continued threat to U.S. persons through his support for operations against U.S. forces, and was perpetuating a war without end,” Olson said.

http://www.voanews.com/content/unit...s-discuss-afghan-border-security/3401670.html

 

[AHMED85]

Jo Wala Banda Ho Seer Sapatey Key Lyee Pakistan Bhaij Dya Jata Hy. Meri Kothi Ae, Mera ghar Aee.