Pakistani PM leaves for Washington on official visit

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif left on Saturday for Washington on a three-day official visit, during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with U.S. President Barack Obama on Oct. 23, state television reported. It is the first official visit by a Pakistani prime minister to the United States in five years. Sharif will hold his first meeting with Obama since he assumed office following the May 11 elections. The prime minister will also meet Vice President Biden and interact with members of the U.S. Congress. Senior U.S. government officials will also call on the prime minister, the Foreign Ministry said. He will attend a business event organized by U.S.-Pakistan Business Council, address the United States Institute of Peace and interact with the Pakistani-American community. PTV reported that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will hold talks with Sharif on Sunday at the beginning of his Oct. 20-23 visit. "The upcoming visit of the prime minister will afford an opportunity to highlight the priorities of the government for economic development of Pakistan, discuss measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation and enhance trade and investment and share his vision about peace and stability in our region," an official statement said. "Pakistan and the U.S. share convergence on a wide range of issues including peace and stability in South Asia and Middle East as well as extremism and terrorism," the Foreign Ministry said. Sharif and Obama had a telephone conversation in May, when Obama congratulated the prime minister on his party's victory in general elections and appreciated smooth democratic transition in Pakistan, the statement said. "The two leaders had agreed to work together to strengthen U.S.- Pakistan relations and advance our shared interest of a stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan and the region," the Foreign Ministry said Sharif had a series of high-level meetings, including with the military leaders prior to his visit, to seek their proposals about his talks with Obama and other officials. Some Pakistani media have reported that the prime minister would be seeking to address the Obama administration's concerns that would shape U.S. policy towards Pakistan. "Mr. Sharif would at the same time explain the rationale behind pursuing dialogue with Taliban militants in the country," Dawn newspaper reported.