Pak army chief's United States visit to focus on Afghanistan

Pakistan's chief of army staff, General Raheel Sharif, will be spending the next five days in the United States.

The Americans "know where the power is", Pakistani defence and security analyst Talat Masood told AFP. However, the analysts consider the visit of Army chief more crucial than the premier's observing the fact that Pakistani military has always been more powerful, and the main stakeholder in fight against terrorism and peace process in Afghanistan.

Washington sees Islamabad as one of its few partners with the influence to bring the afghan militants to the negotiating table. The Taliban has regrouped after its summer scramble following news that Mullah Omar, the group's erstwhile leader, had been dead for over two years.

General Raheel, during his visit from November 15-20, will meet top American defence officials amid indications that the U.S. wants Pakistan to revive reconciliation talks with the Afghan Taliban, considered close to the spy agency ISI. His visit comes after the October 22 meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Barrack Obama.

General Raheel observed PCENS' latest and modern facilities and ongoing training activities during this visit.

Masood, a retired lieutenant general, noted the unusual circumstances surrounding the trip.

By all accounts, the issue of Afghanistan's stalled peace talks will be a major point of focus for Sharif while he's in Washington.

It signals the "importance of the problems that both the countries seem to be facing in the region and especially because of the Afghan situation", he said.

About the Zarbe-e-Azb operation, he said "it has led to a visible improvement in Pakistan's security and also helped improve Afghan security across the border - we had informed the coalition and Afghan forces before the operation about the possibility of a few militants crossing into Afghanistan so they should try to seal the border".

Lt Gen Bajwa further said regional security and stability will be discussed during the visit. "This increased Pakistan's dependence on tactical nuclear weapons to counter an Indian offensive", the Dawn reported.

The general will argue that Pakistan must maintain its nuclear capability to combat the threat from arch-rival India, he said.