Pak to urge US to help resolve water sharing issue with India

Despite the United States making it clear on a number of occasions that it was for India and Pakistan to resolve all their outstanding issues, Islamabad has said that it would request America to use its influence and help in the settlement of the long pending river water sharing issue between both South Asian neighbours during the upcoming visit of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Clinton is expected to visit Islamabad next week before going to Kabul, where she would be taking part in an international conference.

According to sources, Pakistani officials involved in chalking out the agenda for the upcoming talks between Pakistan and the US have reprioritised the issues to be discussed during the dialogue.

The water dispute with India, market access for Pakistani goods, energy, agriculture and human capital development are some of the issues which would come up for discussions, The Daily Times reports.

Pakistan is also likely to ask the US to increase the $7.5 billion Kerry Lugar aid to $50 billion in order to improve its image in the country and help Pakistan succeed in the ‘war on terrorism’.