Islamabad/Washington, Aug 20 (UNI) As the regime in Pakistan has changed with the cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan taking the helm as the country's Prime Minister, United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo is "likely' to visit South-Asian nation next month to hold talks on several issues, a report published in Dawn said on Monday.
Mr Khan took the oath as the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Saturday. His party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the single largest party in recently concluded General Assembly elections bagging 116 seats.
Mr Pompeo is expected to visit Islamabad on September 5. He could be the first foreign dignitary to meet the newly elected prime minister.
“Terrorism” could be the main issues taken up in the talks. US mission to establish peace in Afghanistan is continuously challenged by terrorist organization Taliban. One the major insurgent group that has emerged recently in war-torn nation and challenging US troops is Haqqani Network, and US accuses Islamabad of “harbouring” the Haqqani insurgents in its soil.
Pakistan, whose economy is on the “downswing” might seek US support to obtain an expected $12 billion financial package from the International Monetary Fund.
According to the sources, Alice Wells, who heads the Bureau for South and Central Asian Affairs at the State Department, may also accompany Mr Pompeo.
Meanwhile, Mr Pompeo is also expected visit India and Afghanistan during this trip. The visit seems to be the part of US President Donald Trump efforts to conclude a peace agreement in Afghanistan, before the nation goes for Presidential elections.
Relations between Pakistan and the US sour in January this year after Mr Trump accused Islamabad of providing “safe haven” to the terrorists while taking billions of dollars in aid from Washington.
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