ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has rejected suggestions by some of his cabinet members to take a tough position against the US for its “deliberate attempts” to undermine Pakistan’s efforts to hold peace talks with the Taliban, sources here say.
According to one official privy to developments, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was insisting on reviewing cooperation with the US in the aftermath of the drone strike which killed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud.
At his news conference immediately after Mehsud’s killing, Nisar termed the move an “attack on peace” and indicated that the country’s top civil and military leadership would meet soon to respond to the situation.
However, a meeting of the Cabinet Committee of the National Security Council was not convened as the prime minister adopted a more “pragmatic approach” in view of the evolving situation, the official told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
He said Premier Nawaz made it clear during the emergency cabinet meeting last week that while his government has taken a principled stance against the CIA-piloted drone campaign, this did not mean that Pakistan’s “entire relationship with the US should be held hostage by one incident”. “That is why he (the prime minister) is careful in making any public statement on the issue,” the official added.
Premier Nawaz made his only noticeable statement on the issue during military exercises in Bahawalpur last week, cautioning the US that the “senseless use of force” would not bring peace. Unlike the interior minister, however, he did not indicate whether his government was considering any drastic steps to review ties with the US.
A senior official endorsed Sharif’s views saying it would be unwise if Pakistan sought to redefine cooperation with the US at this stage.
Internews
