ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due here on Wednesday on a three-day ‘goodwill visit’ to address popular concerns and suspicions about America in Pakistan.

She will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and civil society leaders during the visit that will largely focus on public diplomacy.

During her public appearances she is expected to focus on problems being confronted by the people, including the energy crisis and economic constraints.

‘She is bringing a message of friendship and support to a country under tremendous pressure. She is going to discuss the IDPs (internally displaced persons) issue. She is going to focus on the real needs of Pakistani people,’ said Richard Holbrooke, US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, before his departure for the visit along with Ms Clinton.

Diplomatic sources believe the US secretary’s first trip to Pakistan, billed by the Obama administration as one of her most important trips after assuming the office, will concentrate on trying to determine the causes of growing anti-Americanism in the country.

She would also seek to ascertain the position of various stakeholders on bilateral matters, they said.

According to diplomats, the US administration is upset over the reaction in the country to its recent aid package.

Ms Clinton is expected to have intense sessions with the army leadership and the opposition to assuage their concerns over the Kerry-Lugar legislation.

She is also likely to convey the US position on the South Waziristan operation and urge Pakistan’s civil and military leadership to go for elimination of militants from the region.