Pakistan conveys concerns to Obama's envoy over halt to military aid

Pakistan on Thursday conveyed its serious concern to Dr. Peter Lavoy, Special Assistant to U.S. President Barack Obama, over the halt of 300 million U.S. dollars in military aid to the country, officials said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter decided this month against making a certification to Congress stating that Pakistan is taking sufficient action against the Haqqani network, a Taliban affiliate blamed for attacks on U.S. and allied personnel in Afghanistan, according to Washington Post.

Dr. Peter Lavoy, who is also Senior Director for South Asia at the U.S. National Security Council, held talks with Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry in Islamabad, amid tension over the blockade of the military aid, the Foreign Ministry said.

Earlier the U.S. Congress also blocked the subsidized sale of F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan.

The U.S. Administration had provisionally approved to the sale of eight F-16s in February, however, a sub-committee on Asia and Pacific of the U.S. Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs blocked the subsidized deal earlier this month.

"The Foreign Secretary lamented that despite Pakistan's indiscriminate action against all terrorist groups, included the Haqqani Network, the U.S. Administration had decided not to certify the concerted and forceful measures taken by Pakistan," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Chaudhry also reiterated the resolve of the Pakistani leadership to not allow anyone to use Pakistan's soil against any country and apprised the Obama's envoy about the progress achieved during the military offensive in North Waziristan tribal region.

"Referring to certain recent developments that had placed a strain on the bilateral relationship, the Foreign Secretary stressed that continued engagement was important to resolve the differences of perception and understanding," the Foreign Ministry further said.

In his remarks, Dr. Lavoy noted that the U.S. Administration recognized the efforts and sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation and its armed forces in the fight against terrorism, the Pakistani statement said.

"He also appreciated Pakistan's outreach to Afghanistan and efforts aimed at securing peace and stability in Afghanistan."

He added that given the imperatives of peace, stability and security in the region, continued close cooperation between Pakistan and the United States was very important to successfully fight terrorism and to attain the objectives shared by both countries.

The Foreign Ministry said Dr. Lavoy's visit is part of the regular high level exchanges between the United States and Pakistan. Endit