British Foreign Secretary Mr Jack Straw arrived in Islamabad today for talks with top UN and Pakistani officials on the formation of a broad-based government in Afghanistan.
He held immediate talks with UN special envoy to Afghanistan, Mr Francesc Vendrell. He is to meet with his Pakistani counterpart, Mr Abdul Sattar, and the country's military ruler, President Mr Pervez Musharraf tomorrow.
Before leaving Britain yesterday, Mr Straw had stressed Pakistan's vital role in the United Nations' five-stage plan for establishing a fully representative government in Afghanistan.
Speaking after meeting Mr Vendrell, who brokered next Monday's inter-Afghan conference in Bonn, Mr Straw said his visit was aimed at garnering Pakistani opinion on Afghanistan's political future.
"It is to discuss with President Musharaff the view of the Pakistan government towards the creation of a broadbased multi-ethnic adminstration in Kabul. What their expectations and aspirations are and what fears they have."
Mr Straw flew in from Iran where he won limited approval for the deployment of British troops in Afghanistan during talks with acting Northern Alliance foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah.
Mr Straw also met with Iran's Foreign Minister, Mr Kamal Kharazi, for talks on regional developments and the crisis in Afghanistan.
AFP