Ties hit new low: Pak puts off visit by US special envoy
WASHINGTON: US special envoy Marc Grossman's visit to Pakistan for consultation on exploratory talks with Taliban has been put off as Islamabad rejected the move, a state department official said.
The US had made a request for a visit of Grossman, Obama's special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, as part of his itinerary to hold consultations with the US allies in the Middle East on a new move to involve the Taliban in Afghan reconciliation process.
"We received word that the Pakistan government felt that it would be best to wait (for Grossman's visit) until this parliamentary review is concluded," state department spokesman Mark Toner told a news briefing.
The development indicates further deterioration in Pak-US relationship which has been on a continuous downswing since the May 2 US raid on Osama bin Laden's hideout in Abbottabad. But, in response to questions, Toner said that Pakistan would continue to play a role in Afghan reconciliation process. On Pak-US differences, the state department spokesman said there was no alternative other than for two countries to work on their divergences.
"We view Pakistan as an essential partner to this Afghan-led reconciliation process ," Toner said.
WASHINGTON: US special envoy Marc Grossman's visit to Pakistan for consultation on exploratory talks with Taliban has been put off as Islamabad rejected the move, a state department official said.
The US had made a request for a visit of Grossman, Obama's special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, as part of his itinerary to hold consultations with the US allies in the Middle East on a new move to involve the Taliban in Afghan reconciliation process.
"We received word that the Pakistan government felt that it would be best to wait (for Grossman's visit) until this parliamentary review is concluded," state department spokesman Mark Toner told a news briefing.
The development indicates further deterioration in Pak-US relationship which has been on a continuous downswing since the May 2 US raid on Osama bin Laden's hideout in Abbottabad. But, in response to questions, Toner said that Pakistan would continue to play a role in Afghan reconciliation process. On Pak-US differences, the state department spokesman said there was no alternative other than for two countries to work on their divergences.
"We view Pakistan as an essential partner to this Afghan-led reconciliation process ," Toner said.
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