John Kerry to visit Pakistan on Monday
US Secretary of State is currently visiting India where he met with PM Modi; LoC tensions to feature in Monday's...
The US Secretary of State will be visiting Pakistan right after his visit to India and the ongoing tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi would certainly be a key talking point. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry is due to arrive in Pakistan on Monday for crucial talks as the US-led foreign forces’ withdraw from Afghanistan.
Curiously, there was no official announcement from either Washington or Islamabad regarding his visit, probably due to security concerns.
Official sources, however, confirmed that Kerry, who is currently in India, will be arriving in Islamabad and is expected to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif the same day.
The strategic dialogue was initiated by the Obama Administration in an effort to advance bilateral cooperation with Pakistan beyond what is often seen as mainly the security driven relationship.
Under the strategic dialogue, there are several working groups including on energy, counter-terrorism, trade, economic cooperation as well as reviewing progress achieved so far during the working groups.
The talks are seen as important because the dialogue will indicate the nature of cooperation between the two countries in coming years after the US formally ended its 13-year-long and hard combat mission in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has often expressed a fear that the US may repeat the mistake of 1989 when it left the region in mess. The US has time and again assured that it has learnt from its mistakes and will not abandon the region.
During his stay, Kerry is also expected to meet the Army Chief (COAS) General Raheel Sharif to discuss the current regional security situation. A visit to the Army Public School in Peshawar is also on the cards.
The US Secretary of State's visit to Pakistan comes right after his visit to India which is embroiled in border tensions with Islamabad. The subject is expected to feature in discussions between Pakistani officials and Kerry.
A senior Pakistani official told The Express Tribune that Pakistan will brief Kerry about the worsening situation and its possible implications for the ongoing military offensive in the tribal areas.
Tensions between Pakistan and India are showing no signs of de-escalating due to sporadic clashes between the security forces of two countries along the Line of Control and working boundary.
The two nuclear-armed neighbours have recently engaged in war of words over the US move to approve civilian and military assistance for Pakistan, certifying that the country was doing enough resistance against militant outfits.
The US decision prompted India to declare that it does not believe that Pakistan has effectively dealt with groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish Muhammad.
However, Pakistan was quick to respond to the Indian allegations and insisted that it was fighting terrorism without any discrimination.
United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry is due to arrive in Pakistan on Monday for crucial talks as the US-led foreign forces’ withdraw from Afghanistan.
Curiously, there was no official announcement from either Washington or Islamabad regarding his visit, probably due to security concerns.
Official sources, however, confirmed that Kerry, who is currently in India, will be arriving in Islamabad and is expected to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif the same day.
The strategic dialogue was initiated by the Obama Administration in an effort to advance bilateral cooperation with Pakistan beyond what is often seen as mainly the security driven relationship.
Under the strategic dialogue, there are several working groups including on energy, counter-terrorism, trade, economic cooperation as well as reviewing progress achieved so far during the working groups.
The talks are seen as important because the dialogue will indicate the nature of cooperation between the two countries in coming years after the US formally ended its 13-year-long and hard combat mission in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has often expressed a fear that the US may repeat the mistake of 1989 when it left the region in mess. The US has time and again assured that it has learnt from its mistakes and will not abandon the region.
During his stay, Kerry is also expected to meet the Army Chief (COAS) General Raheel Sharif to discuss the current regional security situation. A visit to the Army Public School in Peshawar is also on the cards.
The US Secretary of State's visit to Pakistan comes right after his visit to India which is embroiled in border tensions with Islamabad. The subject is expected to feature in discussions between Pakistani officials and Kerry.
A senior Pakistani official told The Express Tribune that Pakistan will brief Kerry about the worsening situation and its possible implications for the ongoing military offensive in the tribal areas.
Tensions between Pakistan and India are showing no signs of de-escalating due to sporadic clashes between the security forces of two countries along the Line of Control and working boundary.
The two nuclear-armed neighbours have recently engaged in war of words over the US move to approve civilian and military assistance for Pakistan, certifying that the country was doing enough resistance against militant outfits.
The US decision prompted India to declare that it does not believe that Pakistan has effectively dealt with groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish Muhammad.
However, Pakistan was quick to respond to the Indian allegations and insisted that it was fighting terrorism without any discrimination.