US Diplomat Meets with Pakistani Leaders

Tue Jul 1st 2008

Richard Boucher, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, was in Lahore, Pakistan today, for a meeting with the leader of a key party in Pakistan's shaky ruling coalition. Boucher met Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, at his residence in the Raiwind area of Lahore.

Boucher's visit to Pakistan this week comes amid ongoing differences between the two main ruling parties over how to reinstate judges suspended by President Pervez Musharraf.

Sharif's party said their representatives told Boucher they wanted the judges restored quickly and Musharraf ousted.

Sharif has already pulled his ministers from the Cabinet over the judges dispute.

Earlier in the day, Boucher had a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in Islamabad.

He was also expected to meet Musharraf.