WASHINGTON (Staff Report) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday informed the US Secretary of State John Kerry about the destabilizing role of Indian agencies in FATA, Balochistan and Karachi.
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According to a statement during the meeting in Washington, that lasted for 40 minutes, the premier also informed him about peace initiatives elucidated by him in his address to the United Nations General Assembly.
John Kerry assured PM Nawaz of continued US cooperation and economic engagement with particular reference to energy needs of Pakistan. He commended the significant gains made by armed forces of Pakistan during operation Zarb-e-Azb and appreciated Prime Minister’s commitment to promote peace and security in the region.
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Both leaders also exchanged views on matters related to mutual interest including US-Pakistan ties amid American decision to extend stay of forces in Afghanistan for another year.
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Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi also attended the meeting.
The US Secretary of State was assisted in the meeting by senior officials including Ambassador Richard Olson, Peter Lavoy and Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Laurel Miller.
PM Nawaz reaches Washington DC on four-day official tour
PM Sharif arrived in the US on a four-day official visit on Tuesday and was received by the officials of US State Department and Pakistan embassy at the Andrews Air Force Base.
Pakistan’s ambassador to the US Jalil Abbas Jilani and the country’s envoy to the United Nations Maliha Lodhi welcomed the premier.
Former United States ambassador to Pakistan and current special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Olson was also present on the occasion.
During the visit, the prime minister will hold discussions with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden on October 22.
Moreover the PM will also interact with members of the US Senate, the House of Representative and other senior US Government officials.
PM Nawaz will also attend a business event organised by US-Pakistan Business Council in Washington DC and address the United States Institute of Peace to conclude the trip.
