Clinton arrives in Pakistan, meets Gilani, Kayani
ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has arrived in Pakistan on a two-day state visit with Pakistan-US relations and regional security high on the agenda.
She met with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani along with other high level officials of the government and army including Chief the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, DG-ISI General Shuja Pasha, Minister for Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir along with other officials in a meeting at the PM House in Islamabad.
Clinton was accompanied by a high powered contingent that included Central Intelligence Agency chief David Petraeus, and US Joint Chiefs of Staff Committe chairman General Martin Dempsey.
She will later meet with Prsident Asif Ali Zardari.
Clinton is on a scheduled tour of the region stopped over in Afghanistan on her way to Pakistan where she held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Clinton revealed that her talks in Pakistan will focus on how to increase pressure on the safe havens there while at the same time urging Pakistan to support efforts at negotiations.
(Read: Clinton steps up pressure on Pakistan, Taliban)
The two sides are expected to discuss the strained relationship between the two countries in the wake of increased US demands for expanding the scope of operations against the Haqqani network.
Pakistan is likely to stress that it would conduct military operation in North Waziristan, if and whenever required.
CIA chief David Petraeus and US JCSC Gen. Martin Dempsey will hold talks with Pakistans top military brass.
Clinton arrives in Pakistan, meets Gilani, Kayani The Express Tribune