ISLAMABAD: United States (US) Defence Secretary James Mattis will arrive in Pakistan today (Monday) for a daylong visit.
According to the Pentagon, the secretary of defence will hold meetings with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
He is likely to discuss Pakistan’s role in Afghan reconciliation process, regional security and other bilateral issues during meetings with the PM and the COAS.
Earlier, while talking to the media, James Mattis said that he was making his first trip to Pakistan as the US secretary of defence. He said the United States was committed to a pragmatic relationship with Pakistan and wanted to expand cooperation on shared interests.
On Saturday, Mattis said, “Indiscriminate action against terrorist safe havens inside the country was in regional and Pakistan’s interest.” Security analysts say Pakistan will also adopt a clear stance that its response will be dependent upon Washington’s actions.
Bilateral relations between the two countries suffered a blow when US President Donald Trump alleged that Pakistan was “offering safe haven to agents of chaos”. Islamabad, in a rejoinder, had made it clear that Pakistan did not allow use of its territory against any country.
Published in Daily Times, December 4th 2017.
