Pakistani envoy calls on Senator Mitch McConnell

Sherry Rehman, the Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States (US) called on Senate Minority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell, discussed host of issues including stalemate in the bilateral ties and detention of Dr Afridi.

The representatives of the two countries showed agreement on the significance of overcoming the current deadlock in the bilateral ties urgently and to work for vigorous relationship based on mutual respect.

The US Senators expressed concerns over the detention of Dr Shakeel Afridi in the Pakistani prison.  Conveying their concerns over the matter, Senator Mitch McConnell and Senator Rand Paul urged Islamabad to restore land route for NATO forces battling in Afghanistan.

Sherry Rehman gave briefing to the US Senators over the detention of Dr Afridi, saying that he was charged and convicted by Political Administration in Khyber Agency for assisting and cooperating banned outfit, Lashkar-e-Islam. She added that the militant organization was involved in killing of innocent civilians and law enforcement agencies.

The Pakistani envoy also made it clear that an appeal process exists and counsel for Dr Afridi was working on these grounds.

She noted, “Pakistan has an independent judiciary which functions pursuant to the Constitution and in accordance with the laws of the land. The government was, therefore, not in a position to interfere in the judicial process”.

Commenting on supply line for allied forces, Sherry Rehman anticipated that the two sides will be able to reach an agreement to restore the supplies.

The Pakistani envoy insisted, “An apology for Salala would help reach an early closure on this important issue. Pakistan had no tolerance for militant groups and our actions in Swat, Bajaur, Mohmand Agency and South Waziristan proved it. Unfortunately, militants forced out of our territory often found safe havens in Afghanistan”.

Sherry Rehman condemned the three major attacks that have been carried out from these sanctuaries in Afghanistan side over the last one month, killing at least 18 Pakistani troops.

In her view, the presence of safe heavens in the Pak-Afghan border in the face of US, NATO and Afghanistan’s combined military is non-understandable.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=27311

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jun 28 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan, USA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.