US Secretary of State to visit Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - US Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad later Wednesday for a three-day visit to discuss issues ranging from bilateral relations to regional situation, state media reported.

During his visit, Kerry will meet Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and hold talks with Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

The two sides are expected to discuss resumption of strategic dialogue as well as cooperation in different fields including energy, Radio Pakistan reported.

The two sides will hold threadbare discussions on regional situation with particular reference to post-2014 situation.

Advisor to Pakistan's Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz extended an invitation to Kerry during a meeting on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum on July 2.

Kerry was previously expected to arrive in Pakistan on July 29. However the trip was later postponed due to his engagement with the Syrian and Middle East issues and the illness of his wife.

Kerry would also hold meetings with the top-level leadership of Pakistan's military and is also expected to participate in the Pak- US strategic dialogue.

The Foreign Ministry said Pakistan will strive to restore strategic dialogue with the United States during Kerry's visit.

The strategic dialogue between both countries had been stopped after the US fighter jets bombed a Pakistani post and killed 24 soldiers in November 2011. The last round of talks was held in October 2010 in Washington.

The Foreign Ministry indicated that the controversial issue of the US drone strikes in the country's tribal regions will be raised during the visit.