ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday briefed the US National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Susan Rice on the unprovoked Indian firing at the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary and handed her the proof of Indian intelligence agency RAW’s interference and military and financial support to terrorists on its soil.

During a meeting with Dr Rice at the Prime Minister’s House here, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif desired that the international community, including the US, should play its role in stopping the persistent human rights violations in the Indian Held Kashmir. — ANN

Muhammad Saleh Zaafir adds: Appreciating Pakistan’s position on dialogue with India, the United States desired that the National Security Adviser (NSA) level talks between the two countries should have taken place in the current month.

Washington’s standpoint became evident during separate meetings of the US National Security Adviser Dr. Susan Rice with Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Army chief General Raheel Sharif.

Dr. Rice said Washington acknowledged the Pakistan Army’s sincere efforts and sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

She held talks with her counterpart Sartaj Aziz at the Foreign Office. Later, she left for London.

Highly-placed diplomatic sources told The News after the talks that Pakistan had impressed upon Dr. Rice that the US should play an assertive role in stopping India from aggression.

India is out to create a war-like environment but Pakistan would never be browbeaten by the Indians, Dr Rice was told.

The United States assured Pakistan that it was keen to work with it in the fields of economy, defence and energy.

“The US wishes to alter the impression that its ties with Pakistan are confined to security but take these ties beyond, as Pakistan is an important country having the potential to make rapid progress,” she told the prime minister.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Federal

Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) or Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, Secretary to the PM Javaid Aslam and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry were also present.

Nawaz told Dr. Rice that Pakistan was engaged in an unprecedented war against terror and its troops were fighting the war valiantly while India was bombing the LoC and the Working Boundary and killing innocent civilians.

“The United States should use its influence on India to stop it from aggression and compel it to respond to Pakistan’s sincere gestures in the same coin,” the prime minister said.

Dr. Susan Rice, who had come here after visiting China, said China, Pakistan and the United States would work for establishment of peace in Afghanistan.

The prime minister reminded her that Pakistan was sincerely supporting efforts for peace in Afghanistan.

He said Pakistan believed that peace in Afghanistan would help restore peace in the whole region.

“Not only the United States but also the United Nations should play its role for peace in Afghanistan,” he added.

The sources said the US NSA briefed Pakistan about her country’s priorities in talks with Pakistan when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be visiting Washington in the third week of October on the invitation of US President Obama.

She placed the ISIS threat atop the US priorities for discussion followed by counter-terrorism actions, checking of global epidemics, effective control over the aftermath of climate changes and issues with regard to gender bias.

She categorically stated that the United States was keen to enhance its interest in Asia since this part of the world was making rapid progress.

“Dr Rice expressed deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by Pakistan in its efforts to root out terrorism and extremism and the success achieved so far,” a statement from the PM House said.

“Rice underscored the importance of strong Pakistan-US relations. She noted the positive direction of ongoing cooperation between the two countries, especially in areas of defence, economy and energy sectors.

“Pakistan sees its relations with the US as a partnership which is in the interest of the two countries, the region and the world.”

The PM House has stated that Dr. Susan Rice was accompanied by Senior Director for South Asian Affairs at the US National Security Council Dr. Peter Lavoy and Ambassador Richard Olson.

The meeting focused on matters of bilateral interest and the future of Pakistan-US relations.

Situation in the region also came under discussion. The prime minister said the US was an important partner to Pakistan in all areas, especially economy, defence and counter-terrorism.

He said Pakistan saw its relations with the US as a partnership which was in the interest of the two countries, the region and the world.

The prime minister said that he was looking forward to his visit to the US in October this year as an opportunity to further strengthen ties between the two countries.

Dr. Rice underscored the importance of strong Pakistan-US relations. She noted the positive direction of the ongoing cooperation between the two countries especially in the areas of defence, economy and energy sectors.

Dr. Rice expressed deep appreciation of sacrifices made by Pakistan in its efforts to root out terrorism and extremism and the successes achieved so far.

She also appreciated Prime Minister’s vision of a peaceful neighbourhood.

Accompanied by Dr. Peter Lavoy, Ambassador Richard Olson and other senior officials from the NSC, she later met her counterpart Sartaj Aziz.

Wide-ranging discussions were held on the regional situation, especially in the wake of emerging security environment in Afghanistan and current stalemate in the Pakistan-India dialogue process.

Discussions were also held on broader areas of Pak-US bilateral cooperation and preparations for the forthcoming visit of the prime minister to the US in October this year.

The adviser hosted a lunch in the honour of the visiting US delegation.

Later, addressing an expanded meeting, she outlined President Obama’s global vision and future priorities and said this vision provides a very important framework for a multi-dimensional partnership between Pakistan and the US.

The expanded meeting was also attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ms. Anusha Rahman, Secretary Defence Lieutenant General (retd) Muhammad Alam Khattak and Secretary Interior Shahid Khan.

During the expanded meeting, the two sides reviewed different areas of Pak-US cooperation and expressed satisfaction over current stability in these relations.

Areas of possible future collaboration between the two countries were also discussed.

The US NSA also referred to some apprehensions expressed by Afghanistan from time to time with regard to the Taliban presence in Pakistan.

Dr Rice also met Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif before leaving for her next destination.

According to an ISPR statement, matters of mutual interest, including the regional security situation, came under discussion.

The US dignitary acknowledged Pakistan Army’s sincere efforts and sacrifices in the war on terror.

Matters of mutual interest, including the regional security situation, were also discussed.

Both the dignitaries also recognised the continued need for close coordination for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the civil and military leadership on Friday assailed the Indian forces for flouting all international norms and targeting the country’s civilian population as the two neighbours exchanged the deadliest fire in recent months along the border.

