Top Pakistani official to visit Kabul to discuss Karzai visit

Pakistan's national security advisor will visit Afghanistan on Sunday to discuss the upcoming visit of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to Islamabad, the Foreign Ministry said Friday. Sartaj Aziz, who will be accompanied by a senior official, will also call on the Afghan President and hold talks with senior Afghan officials on the reconciliation process and other matters of mutual interests. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has extended an invitation to Hamid Karzai to visit Pakistan. During his visit, Sartaj Aziz will deliver a formal invitation to the Afghan president, the Foreign Ministry said. The visit of Sartaj Aziz will be the first high-level exchange between the two countries since the assumption of new government in Pakistan following the May 11 elections, Foreign Ministry spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said. When queried whether Pakistan has the desire to review its policy on drone attacks, Chaudhry said the policy of the present government on the matter is not a hidden secret. He said Pakistan has forcefully raised the issue of drone attacks with the United States, which are in violation of Pakistan 's sovereignty as well as international law. "The drone attacks are counterproductive because they are further fanning militancy. We have a strong position on drone attacks and a debate has also started in the international community against them."