US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday where he is expected to meet with top government officials regarding Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts.

Tillerson's visit, his first to Pakistan since becoming secretary of state, follows on the heels of an unannounced stop in Afghanistan, where the top United States (US) diplomat reiterated America's commitment to the country.

Speaking to journalists in Afghanistan on Monday, Tillerson had said that the US has made “some very specific requests” of Pakistan to undermine the Taliban which would be discussed with leadership in Islamabad during his trip.

According to BBC Urdu, Tillerson's visit, during which he is expected to meet Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Jawed Bajwa, will last a mere four hours.

The secretary will also meet with Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, who had invited Tillerson to visit Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.

According to the state-run daily, Pak-US relations, stability in Afghanistan and regional security issues will be discussed during the meetings.

The US-Pakistan relationship has waxed and waned dramatically since US President Donald Trump took office in January.

Tensions between Washington and Islamabad soared in August when Trump, announcing his South Asia policy, lambasted Pakistan for offering safe havens to "agents of chaos". Pakistan, however, has denied the charge and said that Washington has discounted the thousands of lives lost and billions spent in fighting extremism.

Tillerson's visit comes weeks after the policy announcement and is expected to be followed by a visit by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis later this year.

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...