ISLAMABAD:
US Secretary of State John Kerry telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday and discussed issues of mutual interest, Express News reported.
Kerry will be visiting Pakistan this month which will make him the first high-ranking American official to visit the country since the May 11 general elections which saw Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz return to power.
Kerry’s trip was confirmed by the foreign office, which announced on June 13 that US Secretary of State will arrive in Islamabad later this month for crucial talks with the country’s new political leadership on future bilateral cooperation.
The US Secretary of State himself recently stated that he was eager to meet the new leadership in Pakistan.
Kerry’s visit is seen to be important because it will set the tone for future cooperation between Islamabad and Washington.
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani also met Nawaz to firm up a strategy for crucial talks with Kerry.
If he his coming to announce to stop completely the US drone attacks on Pakistan, he is most welcome.
I hope, during his telephonic conversation with John Kerry, Nawaz Sharif demanded stoppage of drone strikes, or transfer of their control and operation to Pakistani authorities.
If he didn’t do that, he will have another chance soon at the forthcoming meeting.
However,iIf Nawaz Sharif failed in stopping drone strikes or their transfer to Pakistan, despite making strong statements, he will lose credibility, as also the trust that people have placed in his ‘strong’ leadership.
Karachi
What is the diplomatic protocol? Prime Minister is the highest authority in Pakistan. Shouldn’t his counterpart President Obama make the phone call?
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui:
No…he is coming to tell Nawaz Sharif that, since the terrorists have spread across all of Pakistan, there is no use of drone attacks only in Waziristan…so you should expect drones all over Pakistan.
Hillary clinton offered to assist Pakistan mango exports into USA; John Kerry may offer to sell Heinz Ketchup(his wife empire) to Nawaz Sharif. For drones or other military question he has no authority from the Boss. He has got a bag full of dud dollars which are stil in demand by the third world countries, as long as Saudis accepts it for the black tar. .
Rex Minor
@rajat
Here’s a “heads up” – every leader in the World wants to meet Obama – how many are lining up to meet Pakistan’s FM or President? Title doesn’t mean much in the real world.
@unbelievable:
Not much point talking to President Obama or even Mr.Kerry. The President is just an office boy who waits for his instructions from Tel Aviv. After the President has received his instructions he relays them on to Mr. Kerry.
@unbelievable:
You must have different definition of ‘ Everyone!
Rex Minor
ask them to construct a motorway on left side of indus from torkam to gawadar for use of withdrawal equipment/troops if any to be used later by us.
they must compensate USD 100,000 for those killed in terrorist attack and 50,000 for major disability as a result of drone retaliation
otherwise get out of this war which damaged only Pakistanis by USd 100 billion. present him actual bill
So Pakistan’s wish list is keep on begging for money and transfer the drones technology to Pakistan to make it halal.
These meetings allow us to address our shared concerns and build on our improving relationship. We’ve come a long way in regards to improving our ties. It is important for us to meet regularly and prevent any issues from arising. At the end of the day, we are making common sacrifices for the betterment of the region. And it only makes sense for us to be on the same page in regards to our shared objectives. We repeat what Jen Psaki, Department of State Spokesperson, said recently: “We have a very strong ongoing dialogue with Pakistan regarding all aspects of the relationship and our shared interests, including security and counterterrorism cooperation. And we work together to address each other’s concerns. As we move forward with our counterterrorism operations, it is critically important that we continue to work closely with our partners throughout the world, providing them with the support they need, helping build their capacity to carry out counterterrorism operations in their own countries.”
Ali Khan
@B:
Yep. Precisely why he skipped Pakistan in his 7 country 14 day tour of Asia. The story put out by Pakistani media that sudden trouble in Syria forced him to cancel his trip is laughable. If he could o to even Brunei, he surely cold have come to Pakistan.