ISLAMABAD: A US Senate delegation led by top Republican John McCain flew over South Waziristan Monday along with Chief of Army Staff general Qamar Javed Bajwa after meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss regional security, as Washington gears up to send more troops to neighbouring Afghanistan.
“Close cooperation between the US and Pakistan was essential for securing peace and stability in the region,” McCain said at the meeting with Nawaz Sharif and other top officials in Islamabad, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
He also attached importance to US relations with Pakistan, which remained a close friend and ally, according to the statement.
Other members of the high powered bipartisan US Senate delegation were Lindsey Graham (Republican), Elizabeth Warren (Democrat), Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat) and David Perdue (Republican).
Nawaz Sharif also called the Pakistan-US partnership ‘essential’, and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to an Afghan-led peace process in Afghanistan, with strong relations between Washington, Kabul and Islamabad a ‘prerequisite’, according to the statement. In this regard, he also stressed the importance of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) mechanism to facilitate Afghan reconciliation. The prime minister apprised the delegation about his government’s efforts over the last four years to combat terrorism whose success could be measured by the markedly improved security situation in Pakistan.
He also highlighted the economic turnaround that manifested in enhanced investor interest and confidence in Pakistan.
The visiting senators appreciated the contributions and sacrifices made and the successes achieved by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. They also praised the economic turnaround in Pakistan and stressed the importance of intensifying mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation. With reference to Indian-held Kashmir, the prime minister expressed serious concern over the gross human rights violations and brutal repression of unarmed Kashmiris. He underscored the legitimacy of the Kashmir cause and urged the world community, especially the United States, to play its role in ending the sufferings of the people of the valley.
Talking to state-run media, Senator McCain said, “US wants solution of Kashmir issue through dialogue and my country’s policy on Kashmir stays unchanged.” He said the US wanted to play role for the resolution of Kashmir issue.
He said Pakistan’s role with regard to Afghanistan was also very important. He said he would visit Pakistan almost every year, adding his current visit was part of efforts to promote mutual relations.
Later, the senators flew with the military over South Waziristan in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to see progress on infrastructure built there with US assistance, including roads and border outposts, and dam and irrigation projects.
A statement from the military said they were also briefed on border security, including Pakistan’s bid to fence the frontier with Afghanistan.
The visit by members of the influential Senate Armed Services Committee came days after Islamabad slammed Washington’s decision to sanction a Kashmiri militant leader.
The relationship between the US and Pakistan has been strained at times with some in Washington believing Islamabad has not done enough to bring its influence to bear to persuade the Afghan Taliban to renounce violence.
Pakistan has received billions in US aid since the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Washington is actively considering sending more troops to the war-torn country to help struggling Afghan forces beat back the resurgent Taliban, with American commanders requesting thousands of extra boots on the ground.
The Senate Armed Services Committee has legislative oversight of US military affairs.
Published in Daily Times, July 4th , 2017.
