The US has said it shares with Pakistan vital interests related to counter-terrorism activities in the region.

“The US and Pakistan continue to have a vital shared strategic interest in moving that process forward,” State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said.

Psaki said the Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbins, during his two-day trip to Pakistan, met top Pakistani officials including Pak Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and the incoming Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

This is his first trip to the country in his new capacity, and also the first by a top US official after the recently held general elections in Pakistan.

“He offered congratulations to the people of Pakistan on the historic May 11th elections and underscored the US commitment to working with the next democratically elected Government to build a strong, mutually beneficial bilateral relationship,” she said.

“During his engagements, Dobbins discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues including advancing shared counter-terrorism objectives, increasing economic opportunity, strengthening civilian democracy and civil society, and supporting Afghan-owned and Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process,” Psaki said.

comment COMMENT NOW