ISLAMABAD: US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins held consultations with Pakistani leaders on Thursday.

Mr Dobbins is visiting Islamabad at a critical time when the presidential race in Afghanistan is headed towards the run-off stage. But importantly, his trip also coincides with a brewing crisis in civil-military relations in Pakistan – an area of major concern to the United States.

Diplomatic community has been deeply concerned about the events that followed the attack on TV anchor Hamid Mir, which pointed towards deteriorating civil-military ties.

In an attempt to dispel a perception that the US envoy’s visit had a special agenda, the Foreign Office statement on his meeting with Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and the weekly media briefing emphasised that Mr Dobbins in his capacity as the special envoy is a regular visitor to Pakistan, besides noting that he was “focal person for Pakistan-US relations”.

Another interesting element in the FO statement was the assertion that Mr Dobbins had arrived from Kabul, while the American sources said Afghanistan was not part of his travel itinerary this time.

“No Afghanistan element to this trip,” the sources said.

The statement said his meeting with the PM’s adviser was focused on Afghanistan in which Mr Aziz emphasised on “smooth security and economic transitions” for stability in Afghanistan and the region at large.

A statement issued by the interior ministry on a meeting between Mr Dobbins and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, nevertheless, suggested that the envoy had conveyed support for the Nawaz Sharif’s government.

The statement quoted Mr Dobbins as having told Chaudhry Nisar that the “US viewed the Nawaz Sharif government as a reliable partner”.

The role of Afghanistan and Pakistan for peace in the region was also discussed during the meeting.

Mr Dobbins is likely to meet Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif on Friday.

IRAN MINISTER: FO spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told the media briefing that the Iranian interior minister was likely to visit Pakistan before Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s upcoming trip to Tehran.

“We expect some high-level interaction and engagement before the prime minister’s visit so that we do all we can to make it substantive,” she said.

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli is expected here later this week.

Activities of terrorist groups in border areas have been a major irritant in Pak-Iran ties as witnessed in the now resolved border guards kidnapping episode in February.

Indian criticism rejected: The FO spokesperson said Indian criticism on Pakistan’s institutions was baseless and those involved in the propaganda should first look into their internal matters, adds APP.

She condemned the attack on Hamid Mir and prayed for his speedy recovery, but said negative reporting was done in connection with the episode.

Commenting on the election process in India-held Kashmir, Ms Aslam said the election could not be an alternative to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

She said cooperation between Iran and India regarding energy was their bilateral matter.

Answering a question on Pakistan-Iran energy cooperation, particularly the import of electricity, she said international sanctions did not hurt that agreement because purchase of electricity from Iran was a government-to-government deal.

She rejected a perception about the termination of Pak-Iran gas pipeline project and said there were funding issues.

She said building of extensive infrastructure and international financing took the project to a category where international sanctions were applicable.

PM to visit UK: The FO spokesperson said Prime Minister Sharif would visit the United Kingdom from April 30 to May 2 at the invitation of his British counterpart David Cameron.

She said the two leaders would hold discussions on matters of mutual interest.

Mr Sharif will also hold meetings with some UK cabinet ministers.

He will address an investment conference and meet chief executives and investors from financial and energy sectors.