Pakistan’s PM Holds Talks With Kerry

Anissa Katti

Correspondent (Politics)

 

ISLAMABAD — It is no secret that relations between Pakistan and the US government have been tense post the 2011 raid over Pakistan in order to capture Osama Bin Laden and after Amnesty International’s accusation that the US had violated international laws by collaterally killing civilians. However, in preparation for the important meeting between the two powers in the White House, John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have held talks in Islamabad.

The Pakistani State Department announced that the two representatives discussed cooperation in the fight against terrorism, energy, trade and investment and collaborating to promote a safe and stable Afghanistan. Kerry described Pakistan as a “democracy that is working hard to get its economy moving and deal with insurgency and also important to the regional stability.” The US government hopes that Pakistan will play a key role in the peace negotiations between Taliban and Afghan leaders.

The Obama administration said that it would release $1.6 billion in economic and military aid to the country. The State Secretary has announced that “both sides agreed on the importance of our continued counter-terrorism cooperation and that extremism is countered in part by opportunities arising from greater economic stability.”

The meeting between Sharif and Obama has ended in the former itching towards the end of drone attacks over the country. Both parties admitted to strains in understandings but still hope to work together with the regards to “Pakistan’s sovereignty.”

Image Courtesy: Robert D. Ward, Released into the public domain¦ Wiki Commons