Ahead of an expected major overhaul in US strategy in the region, Gen David Petraeus, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, arrived here today on a two-day visit.
Ahead of an expected major overhaul in US strategy in the region, Gen David Petraeus, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, arrived here today on a two-day visit.
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His visit comes as President Barack Obama assumes office and would focus on tying up a new plan in the war against terror and to discuss with Pakistan's top leadership the regional security situation.
The new US president has identified fight against Al-Qaeda and Taliban as one of his administrations top priorities. Petraeus, making his second visit to Pakistan since he was appointed the chief of the US Central Command last year, will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani during the visit, officials said.
Besides cooperation in the war on terror and regional tensions sparked by the Mumbai terror attacks, Petraeus is also expected to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and capacity building of Pakistani security forces during his meetings with the country's top leaders.
Pakistan's opposition to missile strikes in its tribal belt by US drones operating from Afghanistan is also expected to figure in the talks.
Prime Minister Gilani yesterday described the missile strikes and incursions into Pakistani territory by US forces as counterproductive for the war against terror.
US embassy spokesman Lou Fintor told reporters that Petraeus was in Islamabad for "scheduled meetings with senior Pakistani civilian and military government officials on issues of joint concern".
Petraeus' visit to Pakistan came ahead of a planned US troop surge in Afghanistan.
The US military said in December that it would send up to 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, where about 70,000 international troops are fighting alongside Afghan security forces.
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