[NATION.PK] Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
has tasked his diplomatic corps led by Sartaj Aziz
...Adviser to Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs, who believes in
goodjihadis and
badjihadis as a matter of national policy...
and Tariq Fatemi to engage in back channel talks to improve ties with the United States as growing ties with China have become an irritant in relations with United States, official sources said.
"The two top diplomats have been assigned the task to bring the ties back to normal. Pakistain's diplomats in the US and UN have also been asked to use their offices and skills to improve confidence level with Washington," a close aide of Prime Minister Sharif told The Nation.
"The US is seemingly not happy with the way Pakistain is engaging China. The contacts with Russia are also worrisome for them," he said. The close aide of the premier said that in the coming days, the senior diplomats will work 'on this assignment' and try to bridge the gaps.
The fast growing US-India ties prompted Pakistain to remind Washington that it also has a powerful strategic ally in the region - China. Barrack Obama's visit to India this year, his second since assuming the office, showered many favours on New Delhi.
The US' guaranteeing nuclear concessions and NSG waiver to a non-signatory of NPT, gaining access to Indian market economy, offering $4 billion loans and investments, inking 10-year defence agreement and reiterating its support for India's ambitions to seek permanent membership of UNSC clearly reflected discriminatory policy of US towards Pakistain, notwithstanding Pakistain's enormous contribution to US led war on terror.
Pakistain is relying on China for its vast investment in energy, trade sector and its support on Kashmire issue at international forums. China deems Pakistain as an important ally to counterbalance Indian and US influence in the region. Besides this, China needs Pakistain to counter regional terrorism and to gain access to the Middle East and the Indian Ocean via Gwadar Port. Moreover, the Silk route running through Pakistain is suits China best to reach Central Asia and Europe.