Military leaders of Pakistan and the United State have held a flurry of meetings over the past week to ease tensions in bilateral ties, with the foreign office saying that Islamabad is trying to convert "strategic convergence" into gains for both countries.
Military leaders of Pakistan and the United State have held a flurry of meetings over the past week to ease tensions in bilateral ties, with the foreign office saying that Islamabad is trying to convert "strategic convergence" into gains for both countries.
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.
US central command chief Gen James Mattis then visited Islamabad, followed by ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha's trip to Washington.
Reports indicate the two sides discussed on easing tensions that reached a new high after the covert US raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad on May 2.
However, the ties continue to be affected by severe strains, as reflected in US decision to suspend military aid worth USD 800 million to Pakistan.
An issue that figured in the recent discussions was a US plan to shift the focus of the Afghanistan war from its 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.
"We believe strategic convergence exists between the two sides, which we are working to convert into a win-win situation for both sides," she said.
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