Kayani to attend Pak-US strategic talks

Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is set to become the first Army chief to participate in Pak-US strategic talks on March 24.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates and National Security Adviser Gen James Jones are also expected to participate in the talks.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will lead his team, while ISI chief Lt. Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha will represent the country's security interests.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be leading her team.

The Dawn quoted Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, as saying that the dialogue would be broad-based comprising economic, defence, security and social issues.

However, the inclusion of senior defence and security officials indicates that military and security issues would dominate.

In order to revive its economy, Islamabad is expected to send a number of proposals to Washington. And Americans seem ready to help, especially in the energy sector where they are willing to finance some major projects.

But the issue that concerns Washington the most is the situation in Afghanistan and Fata.

The Obama administration is keen to show some achievements in the war against militants before the mid-term elections in November.

The overwhelming feeling in Washington is that the Pakistani military can play a key role in achieving this target.