WASHINGTON - The United States is sending one of its top officials to hold discussions with Pakistan on the reopening of the crucial NATO supply route to Afghanistan.
Deputy Secretary of State Thomas R. Nides will travel to Islamabad on April 4 to continue with the talks, the State Department said. Nides will build on the recent high-level engagement with the Pakistani government, as its parliamentary review approaches a conclusion.

US President Barack Obama and Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani met on March 27 at the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, as well as Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman held talks with President Asif Ali Zardari in Dushanbe on the issue.

"We look forward to continuing discussions with the government of Pakistan on matters of mutual concern, such as security, peace and stability in Afghanistan, and economic development," the State Department said.
Before his meeting with Gilani, Obama had said the US respected the work of Pakistan Parliament and believed it was important for the US to have candid dialogue to work through the issues going forward.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denied the US had compromised the use of drones in Pakistan. "I can assure you that the Obama administration will not enter into any agreement that would be to the detriment of the national security of our country.

"I think this president has demonstrated conclusively that he's ready to take the tough decisions when America's security is at stake," Clinton told the CNN in an interview. (Pajhwok)