White House asks Pakistan to attend Bonn conference

Pakistani protesters rally to condemn NATO strikes on Pakistani soldiers, in Lahore on Tuesday. Pakistan pulled out of an upcoming meeting in Germany on the future of Afghanistan to protest the deadly attack by U.S.-led forces on its troops. Placard at right reads “run NATO and wake Pakistan Army”.

The White House has asked Pakistan to attend the crucial international meet on Afghanistan in Bonn early next month.

Islamabad had on Tuesday decided to boycott the conference in Bonn to protest the killing of its 24 soldiers by NATO forces in a cross-border fire on the AfPak border over the weekend.

“We certainly urge Pakistan to participate in this conference. It’s very important for the future of Afghanistan,” White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, told reporters.

“Pakistan obviously will play an important role in the future of Afghanistan, and we urge them to participate in the conference,” Mr. Carney said in response to a question.