U.S., Pakistan said in hectic negotiations

WASHINGTON, March 25 (UPI) -- Pakistan and the United States are engaging in a hectic round of negotiations as Washington prepares to unveil a new strategy for the country, sources say.

As the Obama administration and Richard Holbrooke, U.S. special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, put the finishing touches on a redefinition of bilateral relations between Washington and Islamabad, close consultations between national leaders were said to be under way, the English-language Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported Wednesday.

The newspaper quoted an unnamed diplomatic observer saying the point of talks was to make sure there were no surprises when U.S. officials outline their strategic review of Pakistan's security problems and its use by Taliban militants to launch attacks against U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan.

The sources told Dawn Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's ambassador to Washington, was summoned to Islamabad during the weekend, adding the Obama administration had indicated it wanted to brief senior Pakistani officials before announcing the new policy to avoid misunderstandings.

U.S. officials are also reportedly looking to reach out to opposition Pakistani politicians such as former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as well as consulting with President Asif Ali Zardari.