Washington awaiting formal talks with Pakistan: US Embassy

The US Embassy has said that the country is ready to discuss parliamentary recommendations with Pakistan, and is just waiting for a schedule for formal talks.

U.S. Embassy spokesman Mark Stroh told The Nation that the U.S. and Pakistan are ready for talks. He, however, refused to comment on reports stating U.S. Special Envoy Marc Grossman’s visit to Pakistan on April 25 to hold talks with Pakistan.

Grossman’s visit to Pakistan was due a few months ago, but Pakistan stopped him so that the parliamentary process could be completed first.

A trilateral meet between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the U.S. will be held on April 27. The Parliament had demanded that the U.S. seek an apology for the Salala incident that had caused the suspension of NATO supplies. The Pakistan Government handed the issue over to parliament, asking it to review ties with Washington.

Both the US and Pakistan realise that there is a need to improve understanding and narrow the trust deficit on regional issues and other policies.