Dobbins in Pakistan to lay ground for Nawaz-Obama meeting

US special representative for Afghanistan-Pakistan meets with Sartaj Aziz and Chaudhry Nisar.

ISLAMABAD: With Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif set to undertake a tour of the US to meet with US President Barack Obama later this month, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) Ambassador James Dobbins called on the premier’s trusted advisers to lay ground for the meeting.

Dobbins called on the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad on Monday.

The two sides focused on preparations for Nawaz’s visit to Washington later this month.

During the meeting, matters relating to Pakistan-US relations and the situation in the region were alos discussed.

The situation in Afghanistan and the reconciliation process were discussed. With US making key gains over a post-2014 withdrawal arrangement in Afghanistan over the weekend, Dobbins discussed related issues with Aziz as well.

Meeting with Nisar

Dobbins‚ also met with the Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in Islamabad on Monday.

In addition to discussing matters of mutual interest, geo- political situation of the region, and the prime minister’s upcoming trip to the US, they also discussed matters pertaining to cross border militancy on both sides of the Durand Line.

Nisar stressed that it was essential to have peace and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan and both countries will have to go beyond the irritants to build good relations.

Dobbins was also briefed over the progress in peace talks as part of the strategic dialogue following the All Parties Conference.

Nisar underlined the importance of institutional cooperation between two countries in capacity building of its law enforcing agencies.

Dobbins was accompanied by US Ambassador Richard Olson during the meetings.