ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman on Saturday denied his visit to Pakistan was to push for a military offensive in North Waziristan which Washington regards as a militant haven.
“No, I am here to continue the conversation we have been having with Pakistani leaders over the past several months,” the ambassador said in a talk show on Pakistan Television.
Mr Grossman had been asked if his visit was aimed at pushing Pakistan to carry out a military operation in North Waziristan.
“On (the) particular question of North Waziristan (offensive) or any other question, that is the decision for the government of Pakistan and solely for the government of Pakistan,” he said.
He, however, declined to comment on the issue of US drone strikes, saying “it is not a topic of conversation for me”.
“What I would like to say is that Pakistanis and Americans can stand up together and declare the end of Al Qaeda in this region.
That would be a great joint strategic effort and that I hope will come soon.”
The US diplomat said the relationship between the two countries was “certainly back on track if you compare it with last year.
“What draws our countries together in this multi-faceted relationship is the fact that we are both victims of terrorism”, which is a scourge and “let us fight it together”.—AFP
