Pompeo due on Sept 5 to hold talks

islamabad — US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo is likely to visit Islamabad in September for consultations with newly-elected Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team on issues of mutual interests, sources told Dawn News on Sunday.

Pompeo, who is expected in Islamabad on September 5, will likely be the first foreign dignitary to meet Khan, who was sworn-in as Pakistan’s 22nd Prime Minister on Saturday.

During his talks with Pakistani officials, Pompeo may focus on two major issues: efforts to revive once close ties between the two states and Pakistan’s support for a US-led move to jump-starting the Afghan peace process, the sources said.

Alice Wells, who heads the Bureau for South Asian affairs at the State Department, may also accompany Pompeo.

Earlier this week, US officials urged Pakistan to help end the Afghan war, adding that recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan have not discouraged them from negotiating peace with some Taleban factions.

On Saturday, the US State Department said that it recognises and welcomes the new prime minister, dispelling the impression that Washington was not happy with Khan’s election, reports Dawn News channel.

In an earlier statement, a senior US official had hoped that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government would work with the US for translating tough issues into mutual achievements.