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07-03-2016, 04:43 AM
Senator McCain emphasises strong Pak-US ties and greater coordination for peace in region; Gen Raheel says there’s need to check unlawful movements on the Pak-Afghan border; Richard Olson says world shouldn’t forget Pakistan’s hosting of refugees for over 30 years; meets Ishaq Dar, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chowdhry and COAS Gen Raheel; Islamabad seeks US, UNHCR’s help to repatriate refugees
By Mariana Baabar
ISLAMABAD: Recognising Pakistan’s role in hosting millions of Afghan refugees for more than 30 years, the US on Saturday said this was a reality that should **t be forgotten by the international community.
The return of Afghan refugees to their homes and Pakistan’s efforts for border management at the Pak-Afghan border was a recurring theme in meetings that the visiting US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Olson held in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Olson on a two-day visit before flying to Kabul met with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Choudhary and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif.
“Ambassador Richard Olson appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan, stating that the US supported Pakistan’s efforts for border management.
“He recognised that Pakistan’s role in hosting Afghan refugees for more than 35 years should **t be forgotten by the international community.
“In this regard, he underlined the need for creating pull factors for sustainable repatriation of Afghan refugees,” the Foreign ****** quoted Olson after his meeting with the foreign secretary.
Olson was reminded that the issue of the return of Afghan refugees was an ‘important matter’ that should be addressed with Afghanistan through dialogue and consultations.
“The international community, including the US and UNHCR, should lend their support to these efforts”, the foreign secretary said.
Discussing the regional security situation and efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan, the foreign secretary underlined Pakistan’s focus on effective border management on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border with a view to enhancing security and counter-terrorism efforts.
“In this regard, he apprised the US side of the creation of a high-level consultation mechanism between Pakistan and Afghanistan to address border management and related security issues”, the spokesman said in a statement.
Pakistan reiterated its commitment to the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) as an effective forum to facilitate the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process.
Olson expressed appreciation for the continued close cooperation between Pakistan and the United States on issues of mutual interest.
“He mentioned that Pakistan’s successes in counter-terrorism operations and stabilisation of the eco**my were remarkable.
He also congratulated Pakistan for a significant reduction in polio cases. Both sides agreed on continued constructive engagement between Pakistan and the US in “areas of trade, investment, education, health and energy”, added the spokesman.
Meanwhile, the ISPR in a one-liner said Ambassador Richard Olson called on the COAS in Rawalpindi on Saturday.
“Matters related to regional security with particular reference to Afghanistan came under discussion.”
In his meeting with Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the issue of Afghan refugees and efforts by Pakistan to streamline the movement of goods and people across the Pak-Afghan border were raised.
Meanwhile, there was ** word from officials if the issue of drone strikes on Pakistan’s territory were brought up during various meetings at a time when at the UN Pakistan demanded an immediate cessation of drone strikes that violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.
Speaking in the General Assembly, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Dr. Maleeha Lodhi condemned the continued use of drones and described them as blatant disregard for existing international commitments on the use of remotely piloted aircraft.
Agencies add: Chairman US Senate Arms Services Committee Senator John McCain along with a congressional delegation, including Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Joe Donnelly, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif here on Saturday and discussed various issues of mutual interests.
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said during the meeting of the US delegation with the Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif matters of mutual interest and regional security with particular reference to Afghanistan situation came under discussion.
General Raheel dilated upon the security challenges faced by Pakistan and its contribution to regional stability and global peace.
Pakistan’s successes in the war on terror and the need for effective border management across the long porous Pak-Afghan border to check illegal movement on either side of the border also came under discussion.
Gen Raheel said there was a need to check unlawful movements on the Pak-Afghan border. He said a stable Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest and the relationship between both countries held the key to regional peace and security.
Ack**wledging Pakistan’s successes in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, Senator McCain said the Pakistan Army’s achievements in counter terrorism operations were phe**menal and reflected Pakistan’s determination to eliminate terrorism. He said Pakistan and the US need to cement relations in all dimensions and must strive for greater coordination for optimal deliverance of the peace dividend in the region and adjacent areas.
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By Mariana Baabar
ISLAMABAD: Recognising Pakistan’s role in hosting millions of Afghan refugees for more than 30 years, the US on Saturday said this was a reality that should **t be forgotten by the international community.
The return of Afghan refugees to their homes and Pakistan’s efforts for border management at the Pak-Afghan border was a recurring theme in meetings that the visiting US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Olson held in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Olson on a two-day visit before flying to Kabul met with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Choudhary and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif.
“Ambassador Richard Olson appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan, stating that the US supported Pakistan’s efforts for border management.
“He recognised that Pakistan’s role in hosting Afghan refugees for more than 35 years should **t be forgotten by the international community.
“In this regard, he underlined the need for creating pull factors for sustainable repatriation of Afghan refugees,” the Foreign ****** quoted Olson after his meeting with the foreign secretary.
Olson was reminded that the issue of the return of Afghan refugees was an ‘important matter’ that should be addressed with Afghanistan through dialogue and consultations.
“The international community, including the US and UNHCR, should lend their support to these efforts”, the foreign secretary said.
Discussing the regional security situation and efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan, the foreign secretary underlined Pakistan’s focus on effective border management on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border with a view to enhancing security and counter-terrorism efforts.
“In this regard, he apprised the US side of the creation of a high-level consultation mechanism between Pakistan and Afghanistan to address border management and related security issues”, the spokesman said in a statement.
Pakistan reiterated its commitment to the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) as an effective forum to facilitate the Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process.
Olson expressed appreciation for the continued close cooperation between Pakistan and the United States on issues of mutual interest.
“He mentioned that Pakistan’s successes in counter-terrorism operations and stabilisation of the eco**my were remarkable.
He also congratulated Pakistan for a significant reduction in polio cases. Both sides agreed on continued constructive engagement between Pakistan and the US in “areas of trade, investment, education, health and energy”, added the spokesman.
Meanwhile, the ISPR in a one-liner said Ambassador Richard Olson called on the COAS in Rawalpindi on Saturday.
“Matters related to regional security with particular reference to Afghanistan came under discussion.”
In his meeting with Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the issue of Afghan refugees and efforts by Pakistan to streamline the movement of goods and people across the Pak-Afghan border were raised.
Meanwhile, there was ** word from officials if the issue of drone strikes on Pakistan’s territory were brought up during various meetings at a time when at the UN Pakistan demanded an immediate cessation of drone strikes that violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.
Speaking in the General Assembly, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Dr. Maleeha Lodhi condemned the continued use of drones and described them as blatant disregard for existing international commitments on the use of remotely piloted aircraft.
Agencies add: Chairman US Senate Arms Services Committee Senator John McCain along with a congressional delegation, including Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Joe Donnelly, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif here on Saturday and discussed various issues of mutual interests.
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said during the meeting of the US delegation with the Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif matters of mutual interest and regional security with particular reference to Afghanistan situation came under discussion.
General Raheel dilated upon the security challenges faced by Pakistan and its contribution to regional stability and global peace.
Pakistan’s successes in the war on terror and the need for effective border management across the long porous Pak-Afghan border to check illegal movement on either side of the border also came under discussion.
Gen Raheel said there was a need to check unlawful movements on the Pak-Afghan border. He said a stable Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest and the relationship between both countries held the key to regional peace and security.
Ack**wledging Pakistan’s successes in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, Senator McCain said the Pakistan Army’s achievements in counter terrorism operations were phe**menal and reflected Pakistan’s determination to eliminate terrorism. He said Pakistan and the US need to cement relations in all dimensions and must strive for greater coordination for optimal deliverance of the peace dividend in the region and adjacent areas.
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