ISALAMABAD - US National Security Adviser Susan Rice and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday conferred on the regional situation and measures needed for Stability.

Ongoing efforts to restore peace in Afghanistan also came under discussion at the meeting, at which Rice was accompanied by US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad also participated in the meeting.

Sharif apprised the NSA of Pakistan’s efforts for bringing stability in Afghanistan, his office said. A peaceful and stable Afghanistan was not only a regional imperative, but was also in Pakistan’s interest, he said.

Rice praised the sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism and the success achieved so far. She lauded Pakistan’s role in bringing regional stability by holding the first round of the Afghan-Taliban dialogue in Islamabad.

She also hailed the premier’s vision for a peaceful neighbourhood. The agenda for Sharif’s visit to Washington in October was also discussed, according to Pakistani media. The White House meeting is expected to confer o counter-terrorism cooperation, Afghanistan and nuclear security.

Afghan-Pakistan tensions, the suspension of the Afghan reconciliation process and the impasse in Islamabad-Delhi relations, issues of concern for the Obama administration, also figured at the talks.

 According to Dawn, Rice was also expected to convey the prime minister US apprehensions about the recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan.  (Pajhwok)