Islamabad:
US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, are visiting Islamabad on Wednesday on a three day 'goodwill visit' to address popular concerns and suspicions about America in Pakistan.
This is Clinton's first visit to Pakistan since taking up her position as Secretary of State in US President Barack Obama's government in January.
She will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and civil society leaders during the visit that will largely focus on public diplomacy.
"She is bringing a message of friendship and support to a country under tremendous pressure. She is going to discuss the IDPs (internally displaced persons) issue. She is going to focus on the real needs of Pakistani people," said Richard Holbrooke, US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, before his departure for the visit along with Ms Clinton.
Diplomatic sources believe the US secretary's first trip to Pakistan, billed by the Obama administration as one of her most important trips after assuming the office, will concentrate on trying to determine the causes of growing anti-Americanism in the country. She would also seek to ascertain the position of various stakeholders on bilateral matters, they said.
According to diplomats, the US administration is upset over the reaction in the country to its recent aid package.
Ms Clinton is expected to have intense sessions with the army leadership and the opposition to assuage their concerns over the Kerry-Lugar legislation.
She is also likely to convey the US position on the South Waziristan operation and urge Pakistan's civil and military leadership to go for elimination of militants from the region.
Clinton's visit comes at a time of increased bilateral tensions between the US and Pakistan. US drone attacks inside Pakistani territory, and the controversial Kerry-Lugar bill is expected to top the agenda.