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Pakistani army chief embarks on U.S. visit

Xinhua, November 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

Pakistani Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on Sunday embarked on a five-day visit to the United States on security and defense matters that will also focus on options to end the deadlock in the Afghan peace process.

The Pakistan-brokered peace talks between the representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban were cancelled after the death of the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, was revealed in late July.

According to the military, General Raheel Sharif during his visit will meet the American political and military leadership and "discuss important issues including the regional security situation."

The army chief will inform the U.S. leadership of successes and achievements in ongoing Operation codenamed "Zarb-e-Azb," Pak-Afghan border situation and negotiations with Afghan Taliban leadership, according to an army statement.

General Raheel Sharif, who is scheduled to begin his official engagements on Monday, will meet U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

Meetings are also planned with Secretary of State John Kerry, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and Director CIA John Brennan.

It is General Raheel Sharif's second visit to the United States in one year. He last paid an official visit in November last year.

Security officials have told section of the local media that both sides will explore ways to bring the stalled Afghan negotiations on track as both are among the major stakeholders in the process.

"There is a visible possibility for a new push for the resumption of the reconciliation process," Dawn newspaper quoted an unnamed senior official as saying at a background interview on the eve of General Raheel Sharif's visit.

Afghanistan was at the top of agenda of Gen. Sharif's visit as both countries favor promotion of political solution to the problem, he said.

Besides, the Pakistan army chief will also discuss defense and military-to-military cooperation between the two countries. Endit