US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Alice Wells. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States are expected to hold crucial talks in Islamabad this week as a US delegation, headed by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Alice Wells, arrived in the country early on Tuesday.
According to diplomatic sources, Wells – who is visiting Pakistan after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s successful visit to the US and meeting with President Donald Trump – is scheduled to meet top civil and military leadership during her visit.
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad welcomes Alice Wells, Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia! Looking forward to a great few days during her visit.
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) August 6, 2019
The US official is likely to meet officials at the Foreign Office today while Pak-US delegation-level talks are also expected on Wednesday.
“During the talks, Pakistan will raise the issue of India’s move to strip occupied Kashmir of its special status under the Indian constitution's Article 370."
Sources said, “Pakistan will inform the US delegation about its stance over New Delhi’s decision and Indian aggression along the Line of Control (LoC).”
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“Pakistan and US will also discuss the recent surge in an unprovoked firing and shelling on the civilian population and use of cluster bombs by Indian forces in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK); deployment of additional troops and atrocities in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and recent developments.”
The Pak-US delegations will deliberate over matters related to promoting bilateral cooperation between the two countries and the performances of working groups.
Wells is also likely to pay a visit to Karachi during her stay in Pakistan.
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