Pakistan Prime Minister Visits President Obama

Prime Minister Sharif

As Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Meets US President Barack Obama at the White House, the top issue on the table is the US extension of its military presence in neighbouring Afghanistan. The two countries' complicated relationship doesn't seem to be getting any clearer.


Prime Minister Sharif comes to Washington less than a week after President Obama had to abandon his plans to withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan before he leaves office.

Mr Obama said 5,500 troops would stay on until 2017, amid a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.

The US president emphasised the need to end the sanctuaries for "the Taliban and other terrorists" and said he will urge the Pakistani Prime Minister to press the Taliban to return to peace talks.

When the two leaders meet at the White House on Thursday, experts say there is no doubt that Pakistan's role in the war in Afghanistan will be the top issue.