Internews/Islamabad

US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Pakistan next month, as he would not stop over here during his the current visit to some Asian countries, US Ambassador Richard Olson said yesterday in a diplomatic reception here.

Former ISI chief Lt Gen (R) Hamid Gul was also present on the occasion.

Ambassador Olson said John Kerry was keen to visit Pakistan at his earliest. John Kerry had to have detailed consultations but his engagements about the Middle East back home made it impossible for him to visit Islamabad during his ongoing trip.

He had an important and useful discussion with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last week when he called him to felicitate him on assuming the office. The US ambassador was of view that Doha talks would be important and hopefully the Afghan High Council would extend its hand of co-operation to intra-Afghan talks.

“Afghan President Hamid Karzai has an important role to play in making the efforts a success and for the sake of peace in Afghanistan all the groups in Afghanistan should come forward to take part in the process of talks,” said the US envoy in candid manner.

Olson said the US was interested in generating business activities in Pakistan in great deal and for the purpose certain initiatives were being taken because an economically prosperous Pakistan was vitally important for stability in the region and US policies.

He was hopeful that the Nawaz-led government would overcome the challenges facing Pakistan.

Hamid Gul had an exchange of pleasantries with Olson and kept joking with him during the chat.

Earlier, addressing the media roundtable here at a local hotel the US ambassador discussed US-Pakistan business opportunities. Olson emphasised the importance of trade and investment in the US-Pakistan relationship, stressing a shift from traditional assistance towards stronger business-to-business ties.

“With 190mn potential customers, Pakistan is a huge emerging market opportunity for the US companies. We encourage American and Pakistani businesses to work together to capitalise on this opportunity,” he observed.

He noted that the US was one of the largest investors in Pakistan, and that Pakistan exports more products to the US than to any other country in the world. “The US government sees Pakistan’s prosperity as good for the region and good for the United States,” he added.

Ambassador Olson discussed at length the two-day “US-Pakistan Business Opportunities Conference” which will be held in Dubai on June 25. He noted that the conference will facilitate joint business ventures between the US and Pakistani companies and increase awareness of business opportunities in Pakistan.