PM, Nawaz Sharif, leaves for Washington to meet President Obama on Oct: 23

Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, left for Washington on a three-day official visit on Saturday to hold wide-ranging talks with U.S. President Barack Obama on October 23, state television reported.

It is the first official visit of a Pakistani Prime Minister to the United States in 5 years and he will hold his first meeting with President Obama since he assumed office following the May 11 elections.

The Prime Minister will also meet Vice President Biden and interact with Members of Congress. Senior US Government officials will also call on the Prime Minister, the Foreign Ministry said.

He will attend a business event organized by US-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, hold talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday at the beginning of his October 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 US 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.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Obama had a telephone conversation in May, when President 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

Prime Minister Nawaz 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 President Obama and other leaders.

Section of the Pakistani media has reported that the prime minister would be seeking to address the Obama administration’s concerns that would shape US 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.

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