WASHINGTON: A senior US diplomat for religious minorities will travel to Pakistan later this week for talks on minority issues, the State Department said on Tuesday.

During his week-long trip beginning on March 29, Knox Thames, Special Adviser for Religious Minorities in Near East and South and Central Asia, will also travel to Oman and Turkmenistan.

The State Department said that in Pakistan, “Special Advisor Thames will meet with government officials, civil society, and members of religious communities to discuss issues facing religious minorities”.

In Oman, he will meet officials from the Ministry for Endowments and Religious Affairs, as well as civil society and religious community representatives.

In Turkmenistan, Mr Thames will meet government officials and religious groups to discuss religious freedom.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2017