US Under Secretary John Bass Visits Pakistan for Talks

US Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass has landed in Islamabad for a crucial day-long visit aimed at discussing bilateral relations and regional security with Pakistani authorities. This visit marks the first high-level US official visit to Pakistan since the current government assumed power in March following the February 08 elections.

During his stay in Islamabad, Under Secretary Bass is scheduled to engage in discussions with senior Pakistani government officials on a wide array of regional and bilateral issues, emphasizing the importance of the US-Pakistan partnership. The agenda includes talks on enhancing cooperation in various areas and addressing mutual concerns, particularly in the realm of regional security.

Notably, John Bass will hold official meetings at the Foreign Office, where he will confer with Pakistani officials on matters pertaining to bilateral relations and regional security. The discussions are expected to involve Special Representative of Pakistan on Afghanistan Ambassador Asif Durrani, underscoring the significance of collaboration in the Afghan peace process.

Prior to his arrival in Islamabad, Under Secretary Bass made a brief stopover in Doha, where he engaged in discussions with Qatari officials and diplomats from other nations on regional security dynamics, with a specific focus on Afghanistan. The visit to Pakistan comes at a critical juncture, with both countries set to address the escalating threat of terrorism originating from Afghanistan and the spate of cross-border attacks by TTP militants on Pakistani security forces.

Furthermore, the discussions are poised to encompass proposals aimed at fortifying measures to prevent such attacks and bolstering security cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. The visit by John Bass closely follows a recent official trip by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Pakistan, underscoring the evolving geopolitical landscape in the region.