Pak, US strategic dialogue on 28th
Tanvir Siddiqi
Islamabad—The strategic talks between Pakistan and United States would be held in Washington on March 28 and 29 in Washington , diplomatic sources said here on Sunday.
Pakistan has urged the US representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan about the holding of strategic dialogue between the two countries soonest possible in view of the latest offensive launched by the US-led forces in Southern Afghanistan . Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi would lead Pakistani delegation while US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would lead American delegation during the talks.
During the dialogue, ways and means would be discussed to strengthen ties in different fields including defence, trade, energy, education and health.
Pakistan is likely to ask for enhanced defence ties with the US so that balance of power could be maintained in South Asia which is vital for regional peace and stability, sources said.
Pakistan wants the US to block the routes used by Afghan Taliban and other militants into Pakistan from Afghan soil in the face of the all-out offensive by the coalition forces in Kandhar. Pakistan on its side of the border has been maintaining effective control to check the cross border illegal movement to Afghanistan .
