Pakistan-US ties still on hold: Pakistan's FM
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Jan 20, IRNA -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that relations between US and Pakistan are still on hold.
In an interview with western media, she said that Washington should not push Islamabad to go after militant groups, including the Haqqani network or bring them to a negotiating table on Afghan peace process.
Pakistan and the US have an uneasy relationship for decades, but the US military uncoordinated and unilateral raid to kill Osama bin Laden in Abbotabad sparked anger in both countries.
The relationship further deteriorated after a deadly NATO attack on Pakistani military checkpoints killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November, 2011.
Pakistan soon after the attack shut the supply line for foreign forces in Afghanistan.
'I would say the ties are conveniently on hold until we start re-engaging,' said Hina Rabbani Khar.
'‘Push is never wise. I think that every country must be allowed to develop their own strategy and their own timing,' said the foreign minister.
In a recent development, Pakistan had asked the United States not to send its envoy who wanted to include Islamabad in his trip to the region and some Middle Eastern countries.
Pakistani public has thrown its support behind the leadership in its changed mode towards the US and its Western allies and many analysts have suggested to the government to reject US aid and adopt policy of self-reliance.
In every public opinion surveys either conducted in the US or Pakistan, majority does not like the US and its policy towards Pakistan and the Muslims.
Pakistan argues that the United States needs to be patient and gain a greater understanding of the region’s complexities before acting, and that pressure would only hurt efforts to pacify Afghanistan.
**2050
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30774637
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