John Kerry met Nawaz Sharif in his surprise Pakistan Visit

US Secretary of State John Kerry made a surprise visit in Pakistan on Thursday and met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad.

It was the first high-level US visit since Mr. Sharif took oath as Pakistan’s prime minister. Mr. Kerry invited Mr. Sharif to come to Washington.

“What was important today was that there was a determination by the United States and by Pakistan to move this relationship to the full partnership that it ought to be, and to find the ways to deal with individual issues that have been irritants over the course of the past years,” Mr. Kerry said.

“Starting last summer, I think we entered into a very constructive period,” he said. “We really tried to have much more sober expectations, be more realistic, talk about the issues of most strategic interest to us and Pakistan,” he added.

Kerry also meets Pakistan’s army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday.

Mr. Kerry also assures extension of strategic partnership with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Mr. Kerry reiterated President Obama’s plan for US troops’ retention in Afghanistan. However Mr. Kerry did not say how many troops will be remain in Afghanistan.

“The United States is drawing down, not withdrawing,” he said. “So I am very hopeful that this is a transition, not an ending.”

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