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WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Washington on Tuesday for an official four-day visit, where he was accorded a Guard of Honour by the United States armed forces at the Andrews Air Base.
Assistant Secretary of State Peter Selfridge and other senior US officials received the premier, who was accompanied by his wife Kulsoom Nawaz, daughter Maryam Nawaz, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and PM's special assistant on foreign affairs, Tariq Fatemi.
During the visit, the prime minister will hold discussions on wide-ranging issues of bilateral interest with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and various Cabinet members.
In these meetings, the two sides are expected to review the current state of Pakistan-US relations and identify new areas for future bilateral cooperation to further expand and enrich the canvas of this partnership.
In addition to the above meetings, Nawaz will interact with members of the US Senate and the House of Representative as well as senior US Government officials.
The prime minister will attend a business event organized by US-Pakistan Business Council in Washington DC and address the United States Institute of Peace.
National interest a priority during US trip: PM
Nawaz Sharif had earlier affirmed that Pakistan’s national interests will be prioritised during his upcoming visit to the US.
The premier was speaking to media personnel in London, en route the US.
“We will protect the national interests of Pakistan during my meetings with US leadership,” said the prime minister.
While responding to a question on recent reports in US media regarding Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, and plans to limit it, the premier said: “We should not forget who the prime minister was in 1999 when we became a nuclear power.”
Nawaz also stated that concrete evidence regarding India’s sponsoring of terrorism has been forwarded to relevant people and organisations, and expressed hope that Pakistan’s concerns would be addressed.
The US sees Pakistan as one of the few sources of influence over the extremists, and analysts say Washington will use the four-day trip to urge Sharif to keep pushing for a new round of talks.
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Comments (44) Closed
Oct 21, 2015 12:38am
yeah- saw his convoy on I-66 going into DC from Dulles. Pretty impressive.
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Oct 21, 2015 12:41am
Best of luck Mr PM
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Oct 21, 2015 12:47am
Represent Pakistan with dignity get cooperation in the fields of education energy and climate controlN
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Oct 21, 2015 12:54am
This is going to be a very successful trip even if we get nothing. Fall in DC is very pretty.
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Oct 21, 2015 01:02am
Obama should visit Pakistan as it all about US interests in the region.
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Oct 21, 2015 01:10am
Received by the Assistant secretary of state! that says a lot.
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Oct 21, 2015 01:14am
On my tax money .. How many trips you will have on my money Mr. Nawaz Sharif.
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Oct 21, 2015 01:25am
Why is the interior minister with him ?
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Oct 21, 2015 01:29am
Pakistan does have a wide range of issues.
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Oct 21, 2015 01:35am
@DudeFromDC The article says he landed at Andrews AFB....then how did you see the convoy going from Dulles to DC?
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Oct 21, 2015 01:44am
@hope ... ... There is not much we can do about climate change. The projected temperature of earth is raising about 1 centigrade degree every ten years. China has made progress but not the US or India. When the glaciers have melted India and Pakistan will have to capture the monsoon rains. Improvise, Adapt and Overcome. Start Now. Figure out what you need to do for your country. Do not focus on other countries. That won't help you.
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Oct 21, 2015 02:08am
For a 3 days visit - at most - it took PM of Pakistan 2 days to get to the US and probably another 2 days to get back with the customary stop-over in London. Only he can get away with being part-time at his job!
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Oct 21, 2015 02:16am
Be confident to ensure Indian agency intervention in pakistan for raising terrorism . PM should take advantage of US visit to raised "intervention of Raw agency" in international media ...
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Oct 21, 2015 02:20am
Yes Nawaz... Go to America but do not forget your two "k"..... Kashmir and karz..... And surely Obama will not forget" do more"...... Why are you wasting money of poor people of Pakistan on this fruitless trips.... Common....think different...
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Oct 21, 2015 02:21am
Welcome to the club.
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Oct 21, 2015 02:22am
"Assistant Secretary of State Peter Selfridge and other senior US officials received the premier, who was accompanied by his wife Kulsoom Nawaz "
Compare this to President Ayub Khan's visit where President Kennedy stood waiting at the airport to greet the him.
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Oct 21, 2015 02:37am
Why does the wife and daughter need to go?? ?
When will this VIP culture end?
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Oct 21, 2015 02:41am
Everyone should support him on foreign soil.
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Oct 21, 2015 02:44am
Spend less on your convoys and do more Mr. PM! We are after all a third-world country!
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Oct 21, 2015 02:48am
Hope he has the wisdom to realize the real threats, genuine wish for peace and courage to do the right thing.
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Oct 21, 2015 02:50am
What a cold shoulder welcome, ah even the carpet was was rolled after his arrival what a shame for a poor and weak head of state. Cant forget how president Ayoub was welcomed in 60s
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Oct 21, 2015 02:59am
PM should not take any dictation regarding missiles from US.
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Oct 21, 2015 03:11am
Welcome to USA and Washington.
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Oct 21, 2015 03:44am
@DudefromDC : If he landed in Andrews AFB, how is he travelling from Dulles to DC ?
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Oct 21, 2015 04:44am
While I have said it in detail in my other comments of Mr. Nawaz Sharif's the PM of Pakistan. Let me reiterate this, remain focused on your words, “We will protect the national interests of Pakistan during my meetings with US leadership,” said the prime minister."Rest all protocols and fanfares aside, Mr. PM you will have tough questions to answer to your nation and to the United States of America while in US and back home.
Earlier as said, "Lets focus on “Our main priority is to protect national interest and security, and we will not compromise on this.”And let the others be out there doing whatever they want to do.If we are sincere there is no reason why US will not be sincere to Pakistan. Every nation has the right to protect its sovereignty, so is Pakistan."http://www.dawn.com/news/1214024/sartaj-says-no-compromise-on-national-interests-in-sharif-obama-talks
Now is the time of test Mr. Nawaz Sharif (PM) deliver the essence of your visit to Mr. Obama, The President of the USA.
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Oct 21, 2015 05:28am
P M was Received by assistant secretary, what you can expect.
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Oct 21, 2015 05:40am
Last month his UN trip cost whole Pakistan 72 crores. How much this time.
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Oct 21, 2015 05:49am
While you r at it get some respect for Pakistan too.
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Oct 21, 2015 05:56am
Check the Empire case
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Oct 21, 2015 06:13am
This pm is getting out of hands spending poor nation money as if they pluck it from trees for him.Needs an audit of each and every visit by him.
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Oct 21, 2015 06:19am
@Ghaznavi Ayub khan was a real leader as compared to nawaz who is actually hired to be a leader that's the difference.Ayub was concerned about Pakistan whereas he is looting public money through by many ways.
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Oct 21, 2015 06:23am
If this is a state visit - then why is is family travelling with him? His wife/daughter and a few others.
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Oct 21, 2015 06:25am
I hope he bring home some bakon
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Oct 21, 2015 06:52am
@Ghaznavi I agree you have some intelligent
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Oct 21, 2015 06:58am
@Ghaznavi Pakistan was not on the list of beggars. And the then President had an image unparalleled to any other than leaders like Father of the nation and his compatriots.
After 1965 War it all started going down South. Today our leaders are treated as trash. The only reason is well known to us. Our national image is that of a messed up political system ruled by thugs.
If the institution of Army was not the guarantor of the sovereignty of Pakistan our PM and his entourage would have been received by some
protocol officer.
There is still time for Pakistan and its guarantors of sovereignty to ensure the political system is streamlined by the leadership under its present PM.
Else we have huge problem awaiting from our arch enemies
bordering Pakistan. On top of that the internal security threat will exponentially multiply if PM visit to US makes unpardonable comprises to stay in power at the cost of national security and it will lead to immediate escalation of LOC violations.
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Oct 21, 2015 07:15am
@Ghaznavi And also, Pervez Musharraf. US journalists still address him by "Mr. President".
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Oct 21, 2015 07:17am
@Ray ray Nonsense. Why we have to support him. What is he doing that is worth supporting?
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Oct 21, 2015 07:29am
@DudeFromDC , the news report says sharif landed at Andrews. So how did you see him om I66?
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Oct 21, 2015 07:51am
@balbalbla
Excellent point.Good observation of a misinformation.
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Oct 21, 2015 08:25am
Please do something productive for Pakistan Once,,, not improve your own family business
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Oct 21, 2015 08:42am
@Ghaznavi
Wake up!! cold war is over, USA is the lone Super power, Obama or US prez even do not receive Putin or XI ping at the airport.
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Oct 21, 2015 08:51am
Tell Obama boldly, we are derailing terror infrastructure & would make the world a safe place to live in soon.The world was insulting us, now india started.We will give a befitting response & clean the terrorism from our soil.
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Oct 21, 2015 09:06am
US was expecting the Sharif, but the other one.
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Oct 21, 2015 06:16pm
This is not the first time our officials are meeting to discuss our shared objectives. The meetings have been taking place on a regular basis, and our officials have also acknowledged the fruitful nature of these meetings on several occasions. In fact, PM Sharif said recently: “The United States is an important partner of Pakistan in all areas especially the economy, defence and counter-terrorism. Pakistan sees its relations with the US as a partnership which is in the interest of the two countries, the region and the world.” If anything, we believe, these meetings should be seen in a positive light, and we certainly to hope to prevent any possible issues from arising by addressing and discussing our shared goals.
Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
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