US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (L) and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif shake hands during a meeting in Islamabad December 9, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
During the weekly press briefing at the Foreign Office on Thursday, the official spokesperson said that the government has already “stated in clear terms that the reports that he [Hagel] issued any threats are not correct.”
“I am not aware from where those reports appeared in the media. These were misleading reports. The statements issued by Pentagon, the State department and the one by us were all very clear.”
On his visit to Pakistan, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel had warned Pakistani leaders that if they did not resolve protests stalling military shipments across the border into Afghanistan, it could be difficult to maintain political support in Washington for an aid programme that has sent billions of dollars to Islamabad.
Commenting about the overall US-Pakistan relationship in recent months where there have been some gaps being bridged while anger has mounted over drone strikes, the spokesperson said that “the overall state of Pakistan-US relations, I would say that it is on a positive trajectory.”
“As I indicated, the visit of the Prime Minister had laid a solid foundation. The two countries are now engaged at different levels and we hope that mutually beneficial relationship will continue to benefit the people of the two countries.”
However, in context of Hagel’s visit and topics including Haqqani network and drone strikes, the Foreign Office official said there are some issues on which there remains a difference of opinion between the two countries.
“In our bilateral contacts with the US, we exchange views on our respective view points. On various issues we agree and there is a shared desire to develop this relationship. Lately, two working groups have met and two more will be meeting soon followed by ministerial level discussions... On some issues, like drone strikes, there is a difference of opinion. Contacts like the visit of Secretary Chuck Hagel are opportunities to discuss these matters.”
The spokesperson said that the drone strikes were raised with Hagel. “The government has taken a clear stance on this issue and has raised it with the US government at every level. The US has its own views on it, but we believe that our view point is increasingly getting traction including in the international community.”
Nato supplies
While the spokesperson excused himself for answering about any potential talks between the government and any political party on blockage of Nato supplies, he said that the supplies were continuing to pass through Ground Lines of Communications (GLOCs).
“As it is, the NATO supplies were continuing on the southern route. Our position has been that all such issues should be resolved peacefully and through talks.”
Pakistan supports meeting of NSAs
Asked about the stalled progress on meeting between the Director Generals of Military Operation of Pakistan and India over seeing respective borders along the Line of Control, the spokesperson said that the ceasefire has largely been respected
“Pursuant to the decision of the two Prime Ministers that the ceasefire on the LOC must be respected, the Directors General of Military Operations of the two countries established contact on the 25th and 29th of October and agreed to ensure that ceasefire on the LOC is not violated. Ever since, by and large ceasefire has been respected. There was also a contact between Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force.”
On the proposal of contacts between the National Security Advisors from each country, the spokesperson said that it is part of the desire of the present government to address outstanding issues between the two countries and to find ways to improve relations. “We do hope that these positive proposals emanating from Pakistan would be sincerely reciprocated.”
New spokesperson
With current spokesperson Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry due to begin his next assignment soon, the foreign office unveiled the new spokesperson, Tasnim Aslam.
Aslam, who served as the spokesperson from 2005 to 2007, is being reassigned from her current post of Additional Secretary (Europe). Aslam has also served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Italy and Morocco.
COMMENTS (35)
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" We will extend a hand only if you are willing to unclench your fist". President Obama, at his inaugural speech.
Pardon my Typo; I meant the host extends the hand first:) @KBK-42:
One word. PATHETIC.
@Alee: Our Quaid is having pleading looks at Hagel to shake hand
Even our quaid is pleading Hagel to shake hand
Picture story of a “Master & with his puppet ” really SHARAMNAK.
@US CENTCOM: US has shown a great restraint so far and continued aid despite Pakistan playing a dual game for more than a decade period. Whatever Pakistan may argue, eliminating of top terrorists commanders in drone attacks had positive effect in lowering the morale of terror organisations which is a fundamental tactics to win a war in counter-insurgency operations and which must continue for restoring peace in the entire region.
Nawaz is very eager to shake hands and Hagel is thinking what to do. Why has the denial come after so many days? This is another set up between US and Pakistan. Salams
See the body language of US diplomate, it tells a lot.
Now that it has been officially denied by Pakistan, it is confirmed that Chuck Hagel has indeed issued the threat.
We can all dream and speculate and show passion or speculate with pure reason and logic and restrain our emotions and passions and think calmly.ithout any prejudice. There is nothing higher than reason- knowledge begins with senses, proceeds to the understanding and ends with reason. As the wise man is reminding you, the US and Pakistan are two independent partner Nations, not allies or friends per say, and ; and a difference of opinion may come up from time to time .....! This gentleman is the new masche/ line in USA policy or diplomacy for its partners.. A Nation which is violating Pakistan sovereignty and droning its citizens cannot be the ally of Pakistan. Stop blming the media or pettyfogging the camera man...
Rex Minor :
@Alee: But this is a meeting in Islamabad, so who is the guest here? Hagel or Sharif?
The picture has been misread by many including ET. The Prime Minister is explaining something through a hand gesture. One does not open the fingers in handshake. ET: Please put the picture that you first posted (both shaking hand, and after NY Times news, you changed the picture.That tells a lot about your own journalistic integrity.
In the picture.....Mr Hagel seems amsued at the handshake invitation +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Apparemtly during his 3 hour stay he didnt want to waste 30 seconds on a handshake.
The picture is quite authentic as Obama picture put his sympathetic hand on Nawaz Shoulder, Definately silent pictures also speak.It,depicts true reality of USPakistan relationship..It's not only ET Jang group also published same picture.
Let me be very clear: Peshawar High Court Bar Association President Ishtiaq Ibrahim said the court administration did not handle the management of the full court reference properly! And stuff.
A Picture is worth a thousand words ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ In the present xase even more words.
Agree with the comment of Alee above.
Why does Express Tribune keep using this lame photo rather than the other one in which the two are enthusiastically shaking hands that was taken a second afterward? Express Tribune did publish the other appropriate picture of the handshake in another news article so it's not like ET's photographers were incompetent that they "forgot" or were unable to take the appropriate photo of the handshake that was supposed to be taken. Lame tabloid-esque tactics therefore that mislead people and create sensationalism, perhaps to fish for a few comments don't behoove a mainstream newspaper.
Just something to keep in much in future.
I am at a loss as to what is so sensational about the photo? It looks like the photographer probably clicked the shutter just a split second before Mr. Hagel extended his hand. Do people really think that high level diplomats (of any country on this planet) will be so brazenly impolite and refuse to shake a hand in friendship when offered by a dignitary of another nation?
It is important to remember that the U.S. and Pakistan are two independent partner nations. Like any other partner nations, a difference of opinion may come up from time to time. That doesn’t mean we do not realize the importance of maintaining a healthy working relationship. Our decade long partnership proves that we are able to overcome many obstacles and challenges and work together for the betterment of the region. Our ultimate desire to restore peace and stability in the region holds the utmost importance. We hope to meet regularly to address our shared concerns in the region. We have come a long way in regards to our decade long partnership, and certainly hope to continue our partnership for the sake of achieving our peace objectives in the region.
Ali khan DET, United States Central Command
The Pakistan government on Thursday denied that US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel had ‘threatened’ aid cuts over the blocking of Nato supplies through Torkham..
Wrong absolutely wrong,hagel has given threat in the undermentioned words please benoted, Pantagon chief during his meeting with Pakistan's prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday warned that United States law makers could withhold military assistance if Islamabad faild to ensure security for the key NATO supply routs.
You are requested to please consider the above para and try to understand the real meanings .What they wante to say what is the meanings of wihhold.In in fact threat has come to Pakistan in opened word, In case you wante to change its meaning,ok right but it is depend on you.
As a matter of fact Chuck Hagel dropped in to play Golf in Bhurban. His call on Pakistan Prime Minister was simply a courtesay call.
Rex Minor
Pathetic, politically influenced and biased reporting by ET, it keeps showing that pic even though it HAS SHOWN the next pic in another news in which both are shaking hands
@Alee: @PakPower: @Ahsan: @Sami: @Voice: @black media:
The media has become a platform for blackmailing, brainwashing, joking & hate spreading & best of all NO LAWS to stop it, do as you please !!!
@Alee: It's a shame that the media doesn't realize it is inappropriate to show pictures of the nation's leaders with a deliberate attempt to defame them when there is really nothing to it. A host leader is offering his hand. I do it as a host to until the guest reciprocates - big deal. Why overanalyze this into a joke?
of course.there was no threat...it was a direct order from the US master...!!
The message regarding stoppage of aid issued earlier was loud and clear, but this clarification is only for Pak public consumption whose tempers ran high after Hagel's statement.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government on Thursday denied that US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel had ‘threatened’ aid cuts over the blocking of Nato supplies through Torkham.
'Don't believe in anything unless it is officially denied by the government'...by that notion the threat report seems to be true.
ET: pathetic journalism
Mr. Hagel is just bluffing. He clearly knows that by stopping this money, he will be doing a service to the Pakistani nation and nightmare for joyriders (civilian and military). This so called money is kind of bribe being given to please these decision makers to ascertain the needs of US in this country against the country's ideology and Constitution.
Shame on all media coverages including ET for always sharing misleading info....
media is becoming blackmailer mafia in pakistan and struggling against each other for better rating and leg pulling...Geo vs Ary is already frustrated...
Only one of the 2 seems to be eager to shake hands !
Hahahhahaha ... ET keeps using that picture ... #Sharamnak !
The picture is quite self-explanatory on its own.
What does media want to prove showing this picture?? There is much worse with our Foreign Policy and policy makers but there is nothing wrong with this picture. In international diplomatic protocol the guests always extends hand first to the visitor (irrespective of the designation)!!