Context
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari stressed the need for clear terms of engagement between Islamabad and Washington with regard to the strategic partnership in the campaign against terrorism. Disagreements over unilateral actions and key issues have harmed bilateral relations in recent months, the president said during a meeting on Monday with Marc Grossman, US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Meanwhile, ISI chief Lieutenant General Shuja Pasha is on a secret visit to Beijing that is being seen as part of Islamabad’s efforts to lessen its reliance on the US. Pasha is due to launch a “broad-based strategic dialogue” with China during the trip, according to intelligence sources. The ISI has refused to deny or confirm the visit, with one official saying that such trips are classified.
