The outgoing commander of US forces in Afghanistan,
Gen David Petraeus, and his successor-to-be, Lt Gen John
Allen, met Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on
Thursday.
This was preceded by US central command chief Gen
James Mattis` visit to Islamabad and ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed
Shuja Pasha`s trip to Washington.
Reports have indicated that the two sides held
discussions on easing tensions that reached a new high after
the covert US raid that killed Osama bin Laden in the garrison
city of Abbottabad on May 2.
However, the ties continue to be affected by severe
strains, as reflected in the recent US decision to suspend
military aid worth USD 800 million to Pakistan.
One issue that reportedly figured in the recent
discussions was a US plan to shift the focus of the war in
Afghanistan from that country`s southern region to the eastern
part bordering Pakistan.
Islamabad too has been pressing US and Afghan forces
to do more to tackle militants based in Kunar, Khost and
Nuristan who are launching attacks inside Pakistan.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said the
two sides would have to focus on common ground in strategic
objectives to ensure gains for both countries.
"We believe strategic convergence exists between the
two sides, which we are working to convert into a win-win
situation for both sides," she told a news briefing yesterday.
PTI
