Sharif leaves for US, eyeing wide-ranging ties

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday left for the US on a three-day visit aimed at holding wide-ranging talks with the Obama administration.

According to the authorities, Sharif in his meeting with the US President Barack Obama will highlight the issues of alleged Indian aggression and Afghan peace process besides seeking to strengthen economic and defence ties with Washington.

"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's agenda in the talks with President Obama will focus on strengthening bilateral economic and defence relations, economic cooperation, Afghanistan, India and overall security challenges faced by Pakistan," Samaa News quoted an official as saying.

The US assistance to strengthen the overall common security challenges in the region will also come in for discussion, he said.

The prime minister will address a potential audience of investors consisting of CEOs of major US companies and investors on October 21. He will apprise them about the investment friendly policies of the government, trade and investment opportunities in Pakistan.

Sharif will also share with the community leaders positive economic indicators from international financial organisations.

The US Chamber of Commerce and the US Pakistan Business Council have arranged this investment conference and approximately 200 investors and CEOs will attend.

The prime minister will also meet important members of the US Senate and the US Congress, including chairmen of the Senate and House Foreign Relations Committees.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, treasury secretary, secretary defence and other secretaries will call on Sharif during his visit.