ISLAMABAD, June 16: It appears that Pakistan-US ‘bonding’ will continue midair as foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri and senior officials of the foreign ministry travelling with him to Washington on Sunday will have the company of US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher.

On Sunday morning they will all be boarding the British Airways flight from Islamabad to Washington via London, Dawn has learnt through informed diplomatic circles.

Apparently, both sides discovered this only on Friday when Mr Kasuri was asked by the visiting US deputy secretary of state about his travel plans to Washington.

“This is a mere coincidence not by design,” is how one diplomat put it, who agreed it would be a good opportunity for further interaction between the top diplomats.

“This is the most convenient flight to Washington from Islamabad. There is nothing more or less,” said a Pakistani official when contacted by Dawn.

Opinion

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.