Nawaz apprises Kerry on India's destabilising role in Pakistan

Published October 21, 2015
The leadership of the two countries also discussed the situation of peace and security in the broader region. -AFP/File
The leadership of the two countries also discussed the situation of peace and security in the broader region. -AFP/File

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday, during his visit to the United States, apprised US Secretary of State John Kerry about the destabilising role being played by Indian intelligence agencies in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), Balochistan and Karachi.

Three separate dossiers containing evidence of Indian involvement in subversive activities were handed over to the US side by Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

John Kerry had called upon the premier at Blair House in Washington DC.

During the meeting, the prime minister also reiterated upon peace initiatives that he had put forth during the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.

Prime minister also informed Secretary Kerry on the important achievements of his government over the last two years, especially in the economic and internal security domain.

Secretary Kerry assured the premier of the continued US cooperation to further enhance economic engagement between the two countries including in meeting Pakistan's energy needs.

Read: Nawaz arrives in US on four-day visit

The leadership of the two countries also discussed the situation of peace and security in the broader region, and it was agreed that terrorism posed a common challenge to regional and global security and reaffirmed their resolve to counter this challenge.

The premier also informed Kerry of operation Zarb-e-Azab and the National Action Plan (NAP).

Prime minister Nawaz Sharif apprised the US Secretary of State of the progress made in the fight against terrorism and said that desired results were being achieved.

John Kerry assured continued US cooperation and economic engagement with particular reference to energy needs of Pakistan.

He also commended the significant gains made during operation Zarb-e-Azb and appreciated the premiers commitment to promote peace and security in the region.

Adviser to the prime minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi also attended the meeting.

The US Secretary of State was assisted in the meeting by senior officials including Ambassador Richard Olson, Peter Lavoy and Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Laurel Miller.

'Pakistan a thriving market for business and investment opportunities'

Speaking at the luncheon hosted by US-Pakistan Business Council (USPBC) later in the day, Nawaz Sharif said “Pakistan has emerged as an attractive and thriving market for business and investment opportunities.”

As a country we have greatly improved our internal security situation, as well as achieved effective governance and public service delivery, resulting in robust economic indicators, in a short span of time, he maintained.

The premier expressed hope that “the improved security situation in the country would lead to withdrawal of travel advisories on Pakistan”.

Nawaz said that overcoming energy shortages remains the top most priority for current government.

“We have evolved a comprehensive strategy, geared towards overcoming the energy problem on a sustainable basis. Our goal is to overcome energy shortages by 2017.”

Pakistan has one of the most attractive investment regimes in the world, allowing foreign investors 100 per cent repatriation of profits and easy convertibility into foreign exchange, maintained Nawaz.

“One of the key pillars of incumbent government's foreign policy is to support and encourage greater regional integration and connectivity. This is where we have our biggest opportunities to reap the dividends of peace for the common good of our peoples.”

Nawaz Sharif had earlier affirmed that Pakistan’s national interests will be prioritised during his upcoming visit to the US.

Earlier in the week, Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar, had visited, and held meetings with top US intelligence officials discussing strategic issues and counter-terrorism, ahead of the premier's visit.

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