ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to the visit the United States by the end of October on an invitation extended by the US President Barack Obama, a senior Pakistani diplomat said.
The diplomat said that the dates for the visit of the prime minister to the US are still being worked out, adding that objective of the visit is to expand and deepen the relationship between the two countries.
While another Pakistani diplomat, according to Dawn News, said that the other purpose of Obama’s invitation is to boost Nawaz Sharif’s government which is seemingly under growing pressure from the military, particularly with respect to its India policy. Likewise, others say developments in the region are also behind the invitation.
However, the invitation has not been officially announced yet by the White House.
The visit will be separate from the tour, Nawaz Sharif is scheduled to undertake to the US in September for attending the United Nations General Assembly session.
Fatemi, US senators discuss bilateral relations
Meanwhile, the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi has held separate meetings with US Senators Dianne Feinstein of California and Robert Casey from Pennsylvania in Washington.
In the meeting between Fatemi and Senator Feinstein, they reviewed the state of relationship with special focus on defence and intelligence cooperation between Pakistan and the US.
Fatemi said that militant’s command and control infrastructure have completely been destroyed in the ongoing operation.
Senator Feinstein assured the US support for enhancing Pakistan’s counter-terrorism capabilities. He stressed the need for continued cooperation between the two countries to deal with the emerging threat of ISIS.
In his meeting with Senator Robert Casey, Fatemi discussed the recent developments in the bilateral relationship and other issues of mutual interest.
Senator Casey praised Pakistan’s positive role in facilitating the reconciliation process for stability in Afghanistan.
