Nawaz briefs Kerry on Indian involvement in destabilising Pakistan

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif briefed US Secretary of State John Kerry on Indian involvement in creating disturbance in Karachi, FATA and Balochistan.

Lauding the success of Operation Zarb-Azb, the US Secretary of State said that it is an evidence of PM Sharif’s policy of commitment to peace.

“US will further strengthen economic ties with Pakistan as well as provide all resources to fulfill the country’s energy requirements.”

The US leadership in a statement went on to say that Pakistan has remained a strong ally in defeating the Al-Qaeda as well as in countering terror plans.

The statement added that the US stands by the Pakistani people as the country has suffered tremendously at the hands of terrorists and extremists, including the horrific attack in 2014 on the Army Public School in Peshawar.

The Pakistani leadership under the PM responded that they will not undermine any efforts in their action against terrorists until the complete elimination of the enemy.

PM Nawaz met with Kerry at Blair House in Washington today and discussed bilateral issues as well as security concerns in the South Asia region.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Adviser to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant to PM for Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi accompanied PM Nawaz.

Ambassador Richard Olson, veteran intelligence and Pakistan expert Peter Lavoy, and US Afghanistan-Pakistan envoy Laurel Miller were also present in the meeting.

PM Sharif arrived in the US on a four-day official visit yesterday and was received by the officials of US State Department and Pakistan embassy at the Andrews Air Force Base.

During the visit, the prime minister will also hold discussions with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

In addition to the above meetings, the PM will interact with members of the US Senate and the House of Representatives as well as senior US government officials.

He will also attend a business event organised by US-Pakistan Business Council in Washington DC and address the United States Institute of Peace.