ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to the United States from October 20 to 23.

This will be the first bilateral official visit of the prime minister to the United States in his present term. It is also the first official visit of a prime minister to the United States in five years, a Foreign Office statement issued on Friday said.

During the visit, Sharif will hold wide-ranging talks with US President Barack Obama.

This will be the first meeting of the two leaders. The two leaders had a telephone conversation in May 2013, when President Obama congratulated the prime minister on his party's victory in the general election and appreciated the smooth democratic transition in Pakistan.

The two leaders had agreed to work together to strengthen US-Pakistan relations and advance shared interests of a stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan and region.

Pakistan and the US share convergence on a wide range of issues including peace and stability in South Asia and Middle East, as well as extremism and terrorism.

In addition to meeting with President Obama, the prime Minister will also meet Vice President Biden and interact with members of Congress. Senior US Government officials will also call on the prime minister.

He will attend a business event organised by US-Pakistan Business Council, address the United States Institute of Peace and interact with the Pakistani-American community.

The upcoming visit of Sharif will afford an opportunity to highlight the priorities of the government for economic development in Pakistan, discuss measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation and enhance trade and investment and share his vision about peace and stability in our region.