NEW YORK, Jan 17: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will meet US President George Bush at the White House on Jan 24 against the backdrop of the recent US airstrikes in Northwest Pakistan which have sparked countrywide demonstrations against the United States.

Mr Aziz, according to officials is expected to discuss crucial international, regional and bilateral issues with President Bush and is expected to seek a civil nuclear cooperation agreement similar to the one signed with New Delhi in July last year during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Mr Aziz is expected to remind Mr Bush that being an old US ally and frontline state in war against international terrorism Pakistan deserves to be treated on equal footing with India and that a similar arrangement between Washington and Islamabad should be agreed upon.

Besides expressing gratitude for US assistance following the devastating earthquake, US and Pakistani officials will discuss wide range of bi-lateral issues. Mr Aziz will update President Bush on the outcome of on-going composite dialogue with India.

On the issue of Kashmir dispute which has defied resolution, Mr Aziz will explain President Pervez Musharraf’s different proposals to India for the resolution of the dispute. These proposals include demilitarization of the Valley and self-governance by the Kashmiri people.

Although India has refused to accept any interlocutor in resolving the dispute, Mr Aziz will ask Mr Bush to weigh in persuading the Indian leadership to respond to these proposals in the interest of peace and stability in the South Asian region which was once described by former President Clinton as the “most dangerous place in the world.”

The issue of sale of F-16 aircraft will also figure prominently during the official talks and it is expected that some breakthrough on this would be achieved. Pakistan has recently received two F-16s that reflected the American intentions of not withholding further supply of these fighter jets that have been, over the years, backbone of Pakistan air defence system.

Mr Aziz will also visit the Pentagon headquarters where he will meet Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and brief him on Pakistan efforts to combat terrorism and the measures it has taken to stop the terrorist activities along with Afghan/Pakistan border.

Mr Aziz will also meet World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz and discuss the Bank’s projects in Pakistan and in particular the soft loans being provided to Pakistan to help it in rebuilding the infrastructure following the massive earthquake in Kashmir and Northern Pakistan.

Mr Aziz who will arrive in New York on Jan 18, ahead of his official visit to Washington, will address a meeting of the Council of Foreign Relations.

On Jan 19, he will hold a series of meetings with chief executive officers of major business houses and representatives of elite investment companies in an attempt to explore foreign investment in Pakistan. He will also ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange .

He is expected to address the United Nations Economic and Social Council which will be followed by a luncheon hosted in his honour by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

On Saturday evening he will address the Pakistani community and explain his government’s policies besides highlighting major economic initiatives, taken recently, aimed at boosting the national economy. Mr Aziz will hold meetings with congressmen and senators.

Mr Aziz will leave for Washington on Jan 22 with members of his delegation He will also address a select group of the Pakistani community.