US secy of state expected to discuss Af-Pak relations, drone strikes on visit to Islamabad
Pakistan’s foreign policy managers will discuss the prospects of a top- level meeting between United States (US) President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in September on the sidelines of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s session in New York with John Kerry who is expected to visit Islamabad in the next few days.
US Secretary of State Kerry is arriving in Pakistan to discuss the Afghanistan reconciliation process, drone strikes, Pakistan-US strategic dialogue and other important issues with the PM and senior leaders.
During this trip, the Pakistani leadership would urge the US administration to halt drone strikes in the Pakistani tribal regions but diplomatic sources said such a demand was not likely to be accepted completely.
“Secretary Kerry is likely to tell Pakistani authorities that the drone strikes could be reduced and limited to high-value al Qaeda and Taliban targets but could not be completely stopped,” said a source.
He said Pakistani authorities would ask Kerry to revive Pak-US cooperation in the energy and economic sectors.
“It will be a good opportunity for Obama and Sharif to meet in New York and boost the ongoing efforts aimed at improvement in bilateral relations but the meeting was not confirmed yet. Pakistan would like this meeting happening,” he said.
“The US secretary of state would seek enhanced cooperation from Islamabad to resume peace talks between the US and Afghan Taliban and to help bring the Taliban negotiators to the table of talks in Doha, Qatar,” another source said.
“Kerry would discuss the current bad patch in ties between Islamabad and Kabul and he would urge Pakistan and Afghanistan to work together for the success of the Afghanistan reconciliation process,” he said.
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Meanwhile, the PM received US Ambassador in Islamabad Richard Olson on Friday, according to a PM Office statement.
“The ambassador informed the PM of the US priorities relating to Kerry’s visit and also briefed him on Pak-US relations and the regional situation,” it said.
The PM affirmed his commitment to a strong and cooperative relationship with the US. He also reiterated Pakistan’s full commitment to all initiatives designed to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan and informed the ambassador of the recent visit of his adviser on national security and foreign affairs to Kabul.
The PM said he was looking forward to receiving Kerry in Pakistan and sought to share with him a vision for future bilateral ties between the two countries.