Pak-US strategic dialogue begins in Washington tomorrow

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: The eagerly awaiting third round of Pak-America strategic dialogue is going to start from 20 October in Washington.

According to diplomatic sources the third round of Pak-US strategic dialogues is going to be started from 20 October and continue till Oct 22 in which issues related to power, agriculture, education and security would be discussed. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi would lead the Pakistani delegation while US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would lead US delegation.

Diplomatic sources further told that Chief of the Army Staff General Kayani would leave for US on Tuesday (today) to attend the strategic dialogue. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will embark via UK to Washington to attend the Pak-US strategic dialogue starting from October 20 till 22.

Strategic Dialogue working group leaders from both governments will report out on the tangible outcomes of their work.

Besides Army Chief and FM Qureshi, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and other senior officials will be among the delegation.

During the Ministerial-level bilateral Strategic Dialogue that was launched in Washington on March 24-25, 2010 has thirteen separate working groups that have met in Islamabad over the past three months: agriculture; communications and public diplomacy; defense; economics and finance; education; energy; health; law enforcement and counter-terrorism; market access; science and technology; security, strategic stability and nonproliferation; water; and women’s empowerment Pakistan would try to convince US to make progress in investment in the power and water sector.

Sources also said that Pakistan would adopt a decisive stance on India’s violation of Indus River Water treaty and would demand US to play its role in this regard.

Foreign Office sources said that Pakistan will demand from US for establishment of Reconstruction Zones (RoZs) in the Tribal Areas while urge various Members of the Congress for methodical legislation and immediate removal of hurdles in this regard.

During their stay, COAS, FM will meet US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, United States Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen besides US National Security Advisors and other high ups to throw light on some of the thorny issues like war against terrorism, security, defence and enhancing cooperation on military and other fields in length.