ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government is expecting important announcements, including resumption of ministerial-level bilateral strategic dialogue, by US Secretary of State John Kerry when he finally reaches here today.
Kerry’s official engagements are scheduled for August 1.
No official announcements about the visit have been made as yet because of security concerns.
Kerry’s visit was preceded by haggling over the schedule of the trip for days, which made the trip look uncertain.
However, an intense desire on both sides to meet ensured that they finally get to meet.
On top of the agenda for Pakistan at the talks with Kerry are economy and trade, and revival of the ministerial-level strategic dialogue, whereas the Americans are keen to get unconditional support from Islamabad for putting the stalemated Doha process (for reconciliation in Afghanistan) back on track and see fast-tracked normalisation of Pak-Afghan ties.
Kerry, after his early morning meetings at the Foreign Office, would visit Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for further discussions, after which a presser is being planned. Sharif wants to hold a joint media conference with Kerry, but the Foreign Office was reportedly opposing it.
Until now the plan is to hold the media conference at the Prime Minister House, but Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz would stand with Kerry instead of Sharif.
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