Speaking at a press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua acknowledged that there had been difficulties in Pak-US relations in the recent past, but said that “through deep discussions with the US, we have tried to address those difficulties as far as possible”. — File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday the difficult phase in ties with the United States was over and relations between the two countries were back on track.

Speaking at a press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua acknowledged that there had been difficulties in Pak-US relations in the recent past, but said that “through deep discussions with the US, we have tried to address those difficulties as far as possible”.

She, however, said it was an ongoing process.

The statement was contrary to that of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who warned the US on Wednesday against pursuing “narrow interests” that hurt Pakistan’s sovereignty and recent remarks by US Ambassador Cameron Munter that relations with Pakistan were going through “rough patch”.

Ms Janjua said the two countries were trying to work on the strategic dialogue process and referred to the recent meeting on law-enforcement and counter-terrorism. “We are constructively engaged on many tracks. We hope that the power of good and innovative ideas and the strength inherent in our joint determination will further facilitate this process.”

She said there was recognition on the part of the US administration of the importance of relationship with Pakistan. “So instead of commenting on negatives, we intend to focus on the positives in the relationship. And the positives are many.”

The spokesperson admitted that the US was in control of the Shamsi airbase, but said it had never been given access to the airbase for carrying out drone attacks. She said the previous government had given access to the base for surveillance purpose.

Ms Janjua said the matter of Washington’s control over the base had been taken up with the US government at the highest level.

CROSS-LoC CBM: She said the current month was significant for Pakistan’s engagement with India, adding that the working group on cross-LoC confidence-building measures would meet in New Delhi on July 18.

About Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement advising Pakistan to forget Kashmir and concentrate on its internal problems, she said Pakistan wanted a constructive, open and result-oriented dialogue with India on all issues and this had been reciprocated by India.

CROSS-BORDER RAIDS: Answering a question, Ms Janjua said cross-border raids were a subject of ongoing discussions on diplomatic and military tracks between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Gilani called Afghan President Hamid Karzai to express Pakistan’s concern over militants’ activities along the border. He told Mr Karzai that despite repeated cross-border raids from the Afghan side, the Pakistan army was exercising utmost restraint keeping in view the close brotherly relations.

Ms Janjua said Pakistan had asked ISAF to immediately convene a meeting of regional commanders to defuse the tension.

About reports that Afghanistan is set to convene a Loya Jirga to decide on the question of permanent US bases in Afghanistan, she said: “As far as the jirga is concerned or any discussions with the US on issues that are internal to Afghanistan or bilateral between Afghanistan and the US, we believe that it is up to the people of Afghanistan and their government to take decisions in this regard”.