The United States on Sunday agreed with Pakistan to shift the focus of its engagement toward tackling economic and energy problems in the country reeling from militant violence, according to dpa. "We are going to now start working closely with your (Pakistani) government to come up with ways to assist you in strengthening the energy sector," US President Barack Obama's special envoy Richard Holbrooke told reporters in Islamabad. The US is a close friend and supporter of "democratic Pakistan," Holbrooke said in a joint press conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Qureshi said Pakistan was not just the restive tribal region, a known hotbed of al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters driven from neighbouring Afghanistan after the US-led invasion in 2001. "US must come forward and help Pakistan overcome its economic challenges," he said. "The issue that is pinching every Pakistani household is the energy crisis." Pakistani government is increasingly becoming unpopular because of prolonged electricity outages in the wake of a severe energy deficit going beyond 3,000 megawatt. Holbrooke said he would be travelling to Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi during his current three-day visit for discussions on the energy issue. He said the shift in the focus of bilateral talks came because of the successes in Pakistan in the fight against militancy. "We are much better off today and we appear to be one less very bad person around - Baitullah Mehsud, and perhaps more the reports of internal struggles resulting in killing of some of the leaders by each other," Holbrooke remarked. Mehsud, the chief of Pakistani Taliban, was apparently killed earlier this month in a US missile strike in the South Waziristan tribal district near the Afghan border. His death reportedly sparked deadly clashes among Taliban over the succession. Mehsud's death is yet to be confirmed and his aides deny any power struggle among their ranks. Pakistani security forces are also mopping up remaining militant resistance in the Swat valley after launching an anti-Taliban offensive there three months ago. The military said on Sunday it killed six more terrorists and arrested 15 others, while three surrendered voluntarily in different parts of the mountain district, which served as a popular tourist destination until 2007. Private television channel reported that bullet-riddled bodies of at least 18 suspected militants were found in several villages of Swat on Sunday. It was not immediately clear whether they were killed in clashes with the troops or shot dead by locals, who are confronting Taliban remnants in areas controlled by the military. Nearly 1,800 militants and more than 165 soldiers have reportedly been killed in the onslaught, but the count could not be confirmed independently. Authorities say troops will be permanently deployed in Swat to prevent resurgence of violence, which forced nearly 2 million people to flee their homes. Holbrooke was due to visit Mingora, the main town of Swat, on Sunday but the trip was postponed due to heavy rains. The US envoy hopes to travel on Monday, weather permitting. Meanwhile, Holbrooke also met former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad on Sunday and discussed bilateral ties as well as situation in the South Asian region. The US troubleshooter is scheduled to also meet Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. Holbrooke will travel to Afghanistan after concluding his visit to Pakistan, which is the fifth one since his appointment in January.
