Kerry calls Nawaz, assures US support

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anjum
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US Secretary of State John Kerry, who will visit Islamabad by the end of this month, on Monday assured Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Obama administration’s cooperation with the new government in Pakistan and sought his support for the success of the Afghan reconciliation process.

 

US Secretary of State is expected to visit Islamabad on June 26 on his first trip after the formation of Pakistan Muslim-League (PML-N) government and according to diplomatic sources, Afghanistan reconciliation process and drone strikes in Pakistani tribal regions would top his agenda for talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other senior authorities.

“Pakistani authorities will ask Secretary Kerry for halt on drone strikes on grounds that these assaults are counterproductive and breach of Pakistan sovereignty,” a diplomatic source seeking anonymity said.

He said that the US secretary of state could be offered Pakistan’s support in eliminating militant hideouts in tribal regions in exchange for his government putting an end to drone strikes.

The Foreign Office said that Secretary of State Kerry telephoned the Prime Minister on Sunday.

“During the call, Secretary Kerry conveyed his felicitations on the assumption of office as prime minister of Pakistan,” said a foreign office statement.

“He reaffirmed the importance of Pakistan–US bilateral relations for enduring peace and stability in the region. Secretary Kerry reassured that the US Administration remained steadfast in supporting the new democratic government in Pakistan,” the statement said.

The prime minister thanked Secretary Kerry for the felicitations and reiterated his government’s resolve to further consolidate and strengthen relations with the US on the basis of mutual trust and mutual respect.

The prime minister underscored the need to strengthen strategic dialogue between the two countries. He also emphasized on the importance of regular high level exchanges between the two sides in order to build on mutual interests and shared goals.

The prime minister and Secretary Kerry also discussed the regional situation. Secretary Kerry provided an update on the recent developments and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s positive role in advancing peace and stability in the region, according to foreign office statement.

An official seeking anonymity said that during the telephonic conversation, the US secretary sought the help of Nawaz’s government for the success of peace dialogue between Washington, Kabul and the Mullah Omar-led Afghan Taliban.

“Secretary Kerry said that Pakistan’s role is vital for the success of efforts being made to bring peace and stability back to Afghanistan,” the official said.

 

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8 COMMENTS

      • .
        Not talking in relation to Nawaz …
        No one is asking for Kerry's autograph now-a-days …
        A 'retired stud' ('IF' he ever was one in the bull pen) …
        .

        • No one can ever claim to have worked the hardest in getting Pakistan the well needed aid in the last decade.Anon.I bet you don't even live in Pakistan or even United States for that matter,your humor sounds too British,I mean dry as a pop corn f a r t,HOWDY.

          • .
            You are sniffing it from La hore …
            That's a pity …
            .
            If you asked me, I would have told you that the first was from Washington, second line is, as you guessed, Brit. But the third line is distinctly American …
            .

          • .
            I wanted to ask you though whether (you think) "aid" was the best thing for Pakistan (in the last three decades) …
            .

          • Lets see,nothing to apologize bud,but you do live in Britistan though lol.As for aid,aid is never a good thing for Pakistan for the most part in my opinion because its feeds the corrupt and the needed never gets a dime out of it.Having said that,there has been few times Pakistan needed it,like after the quakes,the floods and so on and by the way the American public and the government gave more the the whole world put together as always,but the displaced people are still waiting for the help they need from the money lol.I believe the PPP has done a good job of playing magic with the funds,now you see them now you don't.And yes I live in United States and proud of it.

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