ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday that it had been sincerely working with the United States at several levels to resolve all issues, including finding an alternative to drone attacks, because both countries were partner in the war on terror.

Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Ahmad Khan said: “There is need to resolve all issues with the US.”

At his weekly media briefing, he said Pakistan had a clear stand on drone attacks and considered them as illegal, violation of Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty and counter-productive.

He said Pakistan was interested in finding an alternative to drone attacks.

The spokesman said there had been interaction between Pakistan and the US at various levels to resolve issues through a mutually beneficial and acceptable manner.

He said relations with the US were being discussed in accordance with the recommendations of parliament and everything would be decided in the context of guidelines given by it.

Refusing to confirm or deny invitation from the US to attend a summit being hosted by President Obama in Chicago this month, Mr Khan said Pakistan had not yet decided about participation in the summit. The issue was discussed at a meeting held at the President’s House on Wednesday, but no decision had been taken, he said.

He said the Defence Committee of the Cabinet would review mechanism to implement recommendations of parliament in its next meeting.

He said Pakistan-US relations were important and there was a desire on both sides to come up with mutually acceptable resolution of all issues.

The spokesman said there were issues on both sides and there was also the will at both sides to improve relations.

He said all issues were discussed with US Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Marc Grossman during his recent visit to Islamabad. Both sides shared their concerns and perspectives on different issues, he added.

Mr Khan said nobody should have any doubt about Pakistan’s unwavering resolve and determination to fight terrorism. Pakistan was pursuing a well-thought out anti-terrorism policy and expected that the partners would also show more understanding and patience in this regard, he added.

Talks with India

The FO spokesman said President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had a constructive meeting in New Delhi in which they discussed all issues. The two leaders underlined the importance of finding a pragmatic and practical solution of all the issues including Sir Creek, Siachen and Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

He said representatives from the two countries would meet on May 14 to 16 in New Delhi to discuss Sir Creek and interior secretaries in Islamabad on May 24 and 25 to find ways to check terrorism and drug-trafficking.

He said the Siachen issue had been a part of the dialogue process and the two sides had been discussing it.

Mr Khan said there had been progress in Pak-India relations last year and the current round of talks would be completed by the end of the year.

About removal of non-barrier tariff with India, he said it would improve bilateral trade and would benefit Pakistan.—APP