US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived here on Wednesday for consultations with the newly-elected government in Pakistan and nudge it to eliminate terrorist safe-havens ahead of the withdrawal of US-led troops from neighbouring Afghanistan.
Kerry, who had earlier postponed his visit, will hold meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani today.
This is Kerry’s maiden visit to Pakistan after becoming the Secretary of State.
During his three-day visit, Kerry will seek Pakistan’s “genuine” cooperation to deal with militancy.
“Drone attacks, the Afghanistan reconciliation process, resumption of strategic dialogue, US withdrawal from Afghanistan and trade ties will be on the top of the agenda list,” a Foreign Office official said.
Bilateral relations have not recovered fully since US Navy Seals killed al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden at his hideout in Pakistan’s Abbottabad town on May 2, 2011.
Pakistan has been demanding an end to US drone attacks targeting al-Qaeda and Taliban operatives, saying it has caused civilian causalities.
“We have a broad agenda of talks in which key issues will be discussed in a frank manner,” the Pakistani official said.
The two sides will also hold discussions on the regional situation with particular reference to the post-2014 situation in Afghanistan.
The US is looking to Pakistan to play a key role in the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan in 2014 but the two sides have been unable to reach common ground on involving the Afghan Taliban in peace negotiations.
Foreign Office officials said the US was keen to see the Taliban back at their Doha office but it was not easy as they have severe differences both with Kabul and Washington.
“Pakistan is ready to play its role for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process but we cannot force anyone for peace unless all the parties feel it urgent to sit and talk,” he said.
On the drone issue, the official said Pakistan’s policy was clear and once again the US top official will be told that these attacks were in violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and international laws.