Nawaz Sharif will go to US soon to meet Donald Trump

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit the United States by March 2017 to meet the new US President Donald Trump, officials said.

According to media reports, the Pakistan foreign office has been trying to arrange a visit of Mr Sharif to Washington where Mr Trump will assume charge of the office of the President of the United States on January 20. Sources say that Mr Sharif has expressed his desire to attend Mr Trump’s oath-taking ceremony.

The Pakistani embassy in Washington DC has also started making requisite efforts to make this happen. It was reported that Mr Sharif might leave for the US on the January 18 or 19.

A meeting with one of the top officials of the US with Prime Minister Sharif will take place next month in Davos, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.

Officials said Pakistan would maintain its ties with the US on the cardinal principle of mutual respect while addressing each other’s concerns in a dignified manner.

The standpoint of Pakistan will be conveyed to think-tanks in the United States this week when special assistant to Prime Minister on foreign affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi visits the US capital. He will also have an extensive interaction with those likely be part of the new US team in various departments, particularly in the state department.