Sec. Clinton Holds Dialogue With Pakistani Leaders to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

LAHORE: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is likely to visit Pakistan next week. During her two-day visit, Secretary Clinton will meet with the Pakistani political and military leadership to persuade them to launch a military offensive against the Haqqani Network in the Pakistani tribal areas.

The United States blames the Haqqani Network for carrying out the deadly attacks against the US-led NATO forces in the neighbouring country of Afghanistan. A US drone attack has already killed the Haqqani Network’s senior commander Jalil Haqqani in the Pakistani tribal belt on Thursday.

Secretary Clinton will also have dialogue with the Pakistani leadership to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. The Afghanistan situation and the strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the US will also be discussed during the meetings.

Earlier on Thursday, the US Special Envoy Marc Grossman visited Pakistan and held meetings with the political and military leadership in which both sides pledged to continue the dialogue process for better relations between the two key allies in the war against terrorism.