UNITED NATIONS: US Secretary of State John Kerry, who met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the UN on Sunday, advocated dialogue with India to sort out problems, after the Pakistani leader expressed his deep concern over Indian firing along the de-facto border in Kashmir and Sialkot areas. "The United States urges both Pakistan and India to engage in a dialogue and to take steps to de-escalate tension on the borders," US Acting Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Laurell Miller told reporters after the 25-miniure Nawaz-Kerry meeting on the sidelines of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly.
Ms Miller, who accompanied Secretary Kerry, said the two leaders talked about a whole range of issues on the common agenda, and described the meeting as "excellent". "We look forward to prime minister's visit to Washington in October," she said, adding that the two sides talked about areas where they could "further advance and deepen their relationship".
A statement released from the Pakistan's Mission to the UN said the prime minister shared his views on relations with India and expressed deep concern over the Indian ceasefire violations along the Line of Control in Kashmir and the Working Boundary near Sialkot city of Pakistan. "The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues through dialogue," the statement said, adding that Nawaz and Kerry also discussed bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues.
Secretary Kerry appreciated Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts and the success of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. He also expressed condolences over the terrorist attack on Badaber. Peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan, as well as the security situation, were also discussed, the statement said.
Miller told media persons, "Secretary Kerry specifically said that he recognises the significant efforts that Pakistan has made against terrorism." She said the United States also recognises the sacrifices made by the Pakistani people and its security forces in fighting terrorism. The US was cooperating with Pakistan in the war on terror and would continue to do so, she added.
In response to a question about the ongoing reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan, Miller said her government "absolutely and strongly" supports the peace process in Afghanistan. "We appreciate the efforts Pakistan government has taken to that end. I think there is more that we can all do, obviously to launch a peace process and we are 100 percent behind all such efforts to launch the peace process."
At a briefing, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Ch told reporters that PM Nawaz Sharif would again visit the US next month on the invitation of US President Barack Obama. He said the US was assisting Pakistan in many areas and cited its support to country's hydel energy projects. To a question, he said Pakistan was taking action against all terrorist groups, including the Lashkar-e-Tayba and the Haqqani network.