Sharif presides over meeting of top aides ahead of US visit

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif presided over a meeting of his top foreign policy and national security aides here ahead of what is being touted as a tough visit to the United States later this month.

The situation in Afghanistan was also discussed at the meeting, reports the Dawn.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Rashad Mehmood, Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Zubair Mehmood Hayat, DG ISI Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar, DG ISPR Lt Gen Asim Bajwa and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry were among those present at the meeting.

Friday's meeting was the second one convened by Sharif in the last two days to prepare for the US visit.

Sharif had a day earlier consulted some of his cabinet ministers on this issue, while the army's corps commanders met separately at the General Headquarters.

Sharif leaves for a working visit to the United States on October 19. He will be meeting US President Barack Obama at the White House on October 22.