Kerry meets Sartaj Aziz, discusses US drone strikes

The visiting U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, on Thursday opened talks in Islamabad on cooperation to effective fight terrorism, controversial drone strikes, enhance economic cooperation and to discuss  their role in the elusive Afghan peace, officials said.

Mr Kerry, who is the first senior American office to visit Pakistan since the new government has assumed office in June, arrived in Islamabad late Wednesday to review prospects of future relationship with the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government.

The delegation level talks started between the Kerry-led team at the foreign office in Islamabad Thursday morning, the Foreign Ministry sources said.

Pakistani delegation is being led by Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

The two sides are discussing bilateral relations‚ Afghan situation and cooperation in diverse fields including energy and education, officials said.

The Foreign Ministry had earlier said that Pakistan will raise the issue of controversial U.S. drone attacks in the country’s tribal regions.

John Kerry will later meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and both sides are expected to discuss resumption of strategic dialogue as well as cooperation in diverse fields including energy.

The strategic dialogue between both the countries had been stopped after the U.S. fighter jets bombed a Pakistani post and killed 24 soldiers in November 2011. The last round of talks was held in October 2010 in Washington.

US officials in Washington were quoted as saying that the Secretary of State will reinforce Washington’s continuing commitment to Pakistan during his visit.

A statement released by State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki in Washington‚ said Kerry is in Pakistan “for consultations with the newly elected civilian government and to reinforce the United States’ continuing commitment to the Pakistani people.”

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Wednesday discussed with top officials agenda for talks with John Kerry, officials said.

The Prime Minister’s office said a meeting of all relevant stakeholders was called to discuss important regional developments including those relating to Afghanistan.

Sources said the meeting discussed agenda to be discussed with Mr Kerry. Army Chief, Gen. Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, D.G. ISI, Lt. Gen. Zaheer-ul-Islam, Advisor on National Security, Sartaj Aziz, Interior Minister, Nisar Ali Khan and Foreign Secretary, attended the meeting.

Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had extended invitation to visit Mr Kerry during a meeting on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum on July 2.

The US secretary of State was previously expected to arrive in Pakistan on July 29. However the trip was later postponed due to his engagement with the Syrian and Middle Easter issues and the illness of his wife.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Aug 1 2013. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.