Days ahead of a new government assuming office in Islamabad, the US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan met Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani on Thursday and discussed the regional situation.
Ambassador James F Dobbins, who was recently appointed the US Special Representative, is visiting Islamabad with Lt Gen (retd) Doug Lute, Special Assistant to US President Barack Obama.
“During the talks, discussions on bilateral relations and the regional situation, including latest developments in Afghanistan, took place.
The two sides exchanged views on several actions to be taken in the realm of bilateral cooperation,” said a brief statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office without giving details.
Jilani briefed Dobbins on steps taken by Pakistan “for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to remain positively engaged in supporting the peace process”.
The two sides reaffirmed their “desire to work closely for consolidation of bilateral relations and partnership in all spheres of cooperation, including peace and stability in the region”, the statement said.
This was the first high-level contact between Pakistani and American officials since the PML-N won the May 11 general elections.
PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, set to take oath as premier on June 5, has pledged he will take steps to normalise relations with the US and take up sensitive topics like the drone attacks.
PTI