PM Nawaz lands in Washington on four-day official visit

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has arrived here on a four-day official visit and was received by the officials of US State Department and Pakistan embassy.

Pakistan's ambassador to the US, Jalil Abbas Jilani and the country's envoy to the United Nations Maliha Lodhi welcomed the premier at the Andrews Air Force Base here on Tuesday.

Former United States ambassador to Pakistan and current special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Olson was also present on the occasion.

The prime minister also received a guard of honour upon his arrival.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold discussions on wide-ranging issues of bilateral interest with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, US Secretary of State John Kerry and various Cabinet members.

In these meetings, the two sides are expected to review the current state of Pakistan-US relations and identify new areas for future bilateral cooperation to further expand and enrich the canvas of this partnership.

In addition to the above meetings, the Prime Minister will interact with members of the US Senate and the House of Representative as well as senior US Government officials.

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

Interactions with US media representatives and the Pakistani-American community are also part of the programme.

Maryam Nawaz is also visiting USA with the Premier on the invitation of American first lady Michelle Obama.

Maryam Nawaz will hold a meeting with Michelle Obama on Thursday, in which issues relating to Women’s Empowerment and Educational Reforms in Pakistan are likely to come under discussion.