WASHINGTON — In what could mark a turning point in U.S.-Pakistani relations, Pakistani forces have arrested a handful of al-Qaida suspects at the CIA’s request and allowed the U.S. access to the detainees, U.S. and Pakistani officials said.

Pakistan has also stopped demanding the CIA suspend the covert drone strikes that have damaged al-Qaida’s militant ranks in Pakistan’s tribal areas, officials on both sides say — though the Pakistanis say they have simply put this on the back burner for now. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive strategic matters.

Only one of the al-Qaida figures who was arrested is considered senior, but U.S. and Pakistani officials called the combined moves a trend in the right direction.