Daily Times

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: United States (US) President Barack Obama has invited Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit the White House in October, US National Security Adviser Susan Rice tweeted on Sunday.

Rice travelled to Pakistan to meet senior officials to “advance our mutual interests and address areas of concern, particularly terrorist and militant attacks emanating from Pakistani soil”, a senior US official said.

Rice met the PM to press concerns over attacks launched by militants based in Pakistan, the US officials said.

The visit to Islamabad, part of an Asian tour that included an earlier stop in China, comes amid uncertainty over whether the United States will release $300 million in military aid to Pakistan.

Media reports have suggested the money could be held back if the US determines Pakistan is not doing enough to fight the Haqqani network, which has launched some of the deadliest attacks in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Rice “will address areas of mutual interest and of concern, including terrorist and militant attacks emanating from Pakistani soil”, seeking anonymity, a senior US official said.

The official said Rice’s visit was not in response to recent escalating tension between Pakistan and archrival India, who cancelled planned peace talks last weekend. Nine people were killed during an exchange of fire on Friday along a border disputed by India and Pakistan.

The United States has urged Pakistan and India to get reconciliation talks back on track.

Rice met Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday and was expected to meet General Raheel Sharif, the army chief of staff, later in the day. “Dr Rice expressed deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the efforts to root out terrorism and extremism and the success achieved so far,” a statement from Sharif’s office said.

Pakistan Army has been waging a fierce offensive against the banned terrorist outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its radical allies in North Waziristan, near the Afghan border, since last year.

Nawaz told Rice the US is an important partner of Pakistan in all areas, especially the economy, defence and counterterrorism. The meeting focused on matters of bilateral interest and the future of Pakistan-US relations. The situation in the region also came under discussion.

Nawaz said Pakistan sees its relations with the US as a partnership which is in the interest of the two countries, the region and the world.

He said that he was looking forward to his visit to the US in October as an opportunity to further strengthen the mutual ties.

He apprised Rice on Pakistan’s efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan. A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is not only of regional interest, but also in Pakistan’s interest, the prime minister said.

On relations with New Delhi, Nawaz said Pakistan wanted to hold a meaningful and objective dialogue on all outstanding issues with India.

He also informed the US delegation the reasons behind the cancellation of talks between NSAs of India and Pakistan.

Rice underscored the importance of strong Pakistan-US relations. She noted the positive direction of ongoing cooperation between the two countries especially in the areas of defence, economy and energy sectors.

Rice expressed appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Army and Pakistani nation in the efforts to root out terrorism and extremism and the success achieved so far.

She lauded Pakistan’s role in bringing regional stability by holding the first round of Taliban dialogue in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, Rice called on the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. She was accompanied by the Senior Director for South Asian Affairs at the US National Security Council (NSC) Dr Peter Lavoy, Ambassador Richard Olson and other senior officials from the NSC, read a Foreign Office statement.

During the meeting, wide-ranging discussions were held on the regional situation especially in the wake of emerging security environment in Afghanistan and current stalemate in Pakistan-India dialogue process.

They discussed the broader areas of Pakistan-US bilateral cooperation and preparations for the forthcoming visit of the PM to the US in October this year.