Pakistan's ISI chief visits US; to discuss security, intelligence

Pakistan's spy agency ISI's chief Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar has gone to the US on his maiden visit to hold talks with top American officials on regional security, counterterrorism and intelligence issues.

The ISI chief's official visit to the US is taking place in the backdrop of reports that Taliban have entered into dialogue with the US and Afghanistan, creating hopes that it will end more than a decade of insurgency.

"The DG ISI [has] proceeded to USA for an official visit. During the visit, he will meet his counterparts and discuss issues related to intelligence," army spokesman said.

Akhtar, who took over as the head of Inter-Services Intelligence in November last year, is expected to discuss issues related to Taliban, intelligence sharing and improving border security during the visit besides regional security and mutual affairs.

It is also expected that the ISI chief will meet senior officials at the National Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency Chief John O Brennan and the US military leadership.

Pakistan will also raise the issue of Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah allegedly hiding in Afghanistan.

In January, he had visited Afghanistan along with Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and discussed ways to increase anti-terror cooperation.