Nawaz Sharif to leave for US visit Sunday

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will embark upon a three-day official visit to the US Sunday, the foreign ministry announced Friday.

During the visit, Sharif will hold wide-ranging talks with US President Barack Obama, reported Xinhua citing the ministry in a statement, which added that it will be the first meeting between the two leaders.

Sharif is also scheduled to meet Vice President Biden and members of the Congress. He will attend a business event organised by US-Pakistan Business Council and address the Institute of Peace and interact with the Pakistani-American community.

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

Prime Minister Sharif and President Obama had a telephone conversation in May, when President Obama congratulated the Prime Minister on his party's victory in general elections and appreciated smooth democratic transition in Pakistan, the statement said.