Islamabad: US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman said on Saturday that he did not visit Pakistan to push the government for a military operation in North Waziristan.
“No, I am here to continue the conversation we have been having with Pakistani leaders over the past several months,” he said in a TV talk show.
Grossman arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for talks with political and military leaders.
The US considers Pakistan’s semi-autonomous north-western tribal region which includes North Waziristan as the main hub of Taliban and al Qaeda militants plotting attacks on the West and in Afghanistan.
“On (the) particular question of North Waziristan (offensive) or any other question, that is the decision for the government of Pakistan and solely for the government of Pakistan,” Grossman said.
He, however, declined to comment on the issue of US drone strikes, saying “it is not a topic of conversation for me.”
“What I would like to say is that Pakistanis and Americans can stand up together and declare the end of al Qaeda in this region. That would be a great joint strategic effort and that I hope will come soon”.
Grossman also met army chief General Ashfaq Kayani and discussed “matters of mutual interest and peace and stability in Afghanistan,” according to a military official.
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