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Inderfurth arrives

ISLAMABAD: US Assistant Secretary of State Karl Inderfurth flew in Islamabad on Thursday on a two-day visit to hold talks with Pakistani officials on issues of mutual concern including nuclear non-proliferation and terrorism.

The US Embassy told APP that Inderfurth's visit was part of the continuing dialogue between Pakistan and the United States.

Inderfurth was accompanied by Donald Camp, a senior official in Washington's National Security Council, and Michael Sheehan, an anti-terrorism expert at the State Department.

"Inderfurth will hold discussion," on issues of bilateral concern, plan for return to democracy, terrorism and non-profileration issues," he said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Office sources said that the US delegation will hold talks with the Secretary, Foreign Affairs, Shamshad Ahmed. He was also scheduled to meet Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, they added.

Inderfurth trip came amidst increasing interaction of the US Congressmen to Pakistan.

Inderfurth was expected to hold talks on prospects for a return to democratic rule and nuclear and regional issues with Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistani officials said.

The United States has expressed disappointment at Musharraf's failure to say when democratic rule would be restored but has not called for the return of deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been charged with attempted murder and hijacking.

The US wants Pakistan and India to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and take steps to wind down tension in the region.

But Pakistan says the tension is caused by the unresolved dispute with India over Kashmir, and will be seeking US help to resume stalled talks with India, the officials said.

The visit by Inderfurth, who is responsible for South Asia, coincides with an agreement between India and the United States to set up a counter-terrorism body to hunt down the hijackers that New Delhi claims are in Pakistan.

The talks are also expected to include Washington's demand that Taliban hand over Osama bin Laden, who is in hiding in Afghanistan and is accused of masterminding August 1998 bombing attacks on US embassies in Africa.-APP/Reuters