ISLAMABAD: The United States and Pakistan would hold a ministerial meeting of their bilateral Strategic Dialogue here on Jan 14.

US Secretary of State John Kerry would visit Islamabad for the meeting.

This would be the second ministerial-level meeting since the dialogue resumed in 2013. Three editions were held in quick succession in 2010 before the dialogue was suspended due to events in 2011.

“The US Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting Pakistan this month for Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue. The arrangements are being finalised,” FO spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said at the weekly media briefing.

The discussions would focus on how to advance bilateral engagement, Pakistan’s Ambassador to US Jalil Abbas Jilani told Dawn by phone.

The Pak-US Strategic Dialogue currently covers five areas of bilateral cooperation which are discussed through working groups. The areas are: energy; security, strategic stability and non-proliferation; the defence consultative group; law-enforcement and counter-terrorism; and economy and finance.

All, but the group on law-enforcement and counter-terrorism have met. It is expected that the group on law-enforcement and counter-terrorism too would meet before the ministerial meeting.

The meeting of the counter-terrorism working group would deliberate on counter-terrorism cooperation and assistance, countering improvised explosive devices (IED) and disrupting financing of terrorists.

“All working groups have made significant progress,” Ambassador Jilani noted.

While the thrust would be on taking the bilateral relationship forward, the two sides at the ministerial meeting to be co-chaired by Secretary Kerry and Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz would discuss implementation of the plan for promoting trade and cooperation in energy sector, specifically the Dassu and Diamer-Bhasha dam projects and holding of the business opportunity week in Islamabad in March.

The two sides would further deliberate on developments of Afghanistan, where the US has entered a new phase after the completion of the Isaf mandate and beginning of a new ‘Resolute Support Mission’, which focuses on training, advising and assisting the Afghan defence and security forces.

The US side would also be given an update on the progress in the Operation Zarb-i-Azb. The Pakistani side would share its perspective on the impact of operation in North Waziristan on security of Afghanistan and the region.

At the FO briefing, Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam criticised India for over-reacting to bail for Mumbai attack accused Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

“The case is sub-judice. It is unfortunate that an unnecessary hype was created on the grant of bail to Mr Lakhvi. These are legal matters and media trials serve no purpose. We should wait for the outcome of the case. The case is progressing well,” she said.

She reminded that Swami Aseemanad, accused of masterminding the Samjhota Express terrorist attack in which about 50 Pakistanis were killed, was granted bail on Aug 28, 2014, even though he had confessed to his involvement and pointed to the connivance of Indian military officers and some organisations linked to major political parties.

“Although Samjhota Express terrorist attack happened more than two years before the Mumbai attack, it is very disappointing that India has not shared findings of the Samjhota Express terrorist attack investigations despite assurances at the highest level. We do not draw comparisons and do not take a similar approach. The Mumbai case is being pursued vigorously by prosecution,” she added.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2015