Zardari to tour US on official visit

Jan 24, 2011 |

Islamabad

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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will make an official visit to the US by March for talks with the top American leadership, including President Barack Obama.

"The President will visit the US by the end of February or in early on March," Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar told the media.

During the upcoming meetings with the US leadership, Mr Zardari is expected to focus on the emerging situation in Afghanistan in the run-up to the phased withdrawal of American troops, perceived concerns about India's role in Afghanistan and greater support to tide over Islamabad’s economic woes, sources said.

Mr Zardari recently travelled to the US on a private visit to attend the memorial service for Richard Holbrooke, the special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, who died on December.

Though this visit was not official, Mr Zardari called on Mr Obama for an informal meeting that lasted about 40 minutes.

Babar described the meeting between the two Presidents as a brief one that focussed on the war on terror, its impact on Pakistan's economy and US efforts to support democracy.

Mr Obama too is expected to visit Pakistan by the end of 2011.

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