NEW YORK, Sept 21: The minister of state for foreign affairs, Inamul Haq is expected to meet US Secretary of State Colin Powell and president Bush’s national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, next week.

In his meetings with the United States officials, Mr Haq is expected to discuss the situation at Pakistan-India borders in view of continued Indian allegations that cross-border infiltration has resumed.

The minister told reporters on Friday that in addition to the Afghan issue, the issues of illegal immigrant Pakistanis detained by the US authorities are expected to be raised in the meetings.

Inamul Haq, who accompanied President Musharraf on his UN visit, stayed to continue meetings and lobby for Pakistan’s seat in the UN Security Council.

The elections to the council would take place on Sept 27 when five nations will be chosen to serve as rotating non-permanent members for two years.

Mr Haq said that he had had good meetings with foreign ministers and delegates of several countries during the special UN session and added that he expected Pakistan to win with comfortable majority.

APP adds: At a dinner hosted for ambassadors and heads of delegations of Latin American and African states to apprise them of the situation on the borders, the minister of state emphasized the urgency of finding a durable solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

He met the foreign ministers of Lebanon, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus. Economic Cooperation Organization secretary-general also called on him.

Pakistan and Lebanon signed a memorandum of understanding to hold regular consultations between their foreign ministers.

Mr Haq attended the G-77 ministerial meeting, which discussed issues and challenges faced by the developing countries.