'PM to brief Obama on Pakistan's efforts to resume talks between Kabul, Taliban'

Source also says army chief briefed premier on Corps Commanders meeting, discusses Afghan security situation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to brief US President Barack Obama about Pakistan’s efforts to resume talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban, a source told The Express Tribune.

The disclosure came following a meeting between the premier and army chief General Raheel Sharif on Friday.

“PM Nawaz, during his visit to the US will brief US President Barack Obama about Pakistan's efforts on resuming talks between Afghanistan and Taliban,” a source said, adding that the US is interested in seeing concrete steps being taken from Pakistan's side regarding the peace process.

The civil and military leadership is likely to meet in the coming week to finalise the agenda of the premier’s visit to the US and the country's stance regarding the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.

Read: Islamabad to assist talks if both Kabul, Taliban willing

Meanwhile, during the meeting, General Raheel apprised the premier of the security situation of Afghanistan and its implications on Pakistan.

“Internal security situation was reviewed during the meeting,” a PM House statement said.

The source said the army chief briefed the premier regarding a Corps Commanders meeting held at the military’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

Read: Shutting the door: Army wants better managed Afghan border

Days after the top US military commander in Afghanistan said that the military operation by the Pakistan Army in the tribal border areas had forced militants across the Durand Line, military commanders discussed ways to plug the porous border.

“External security situation was comprehensively discussed with particular emphasis on the situation in Afghanistan and border management issues on Pak-Afghan border,” an ISPR statement said.