On December 2, His Excellency, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan arrived in Washington, D.C. for two days of meetings. President Bill Clinton hosted a private luncheon in honor of the PM, who sought to upgrade Pakistani-U.S. relations.

Following Pakistan's rebuff last spring of U.S. entreaties to withhold nuclear testing following India's detonation of its first underground nuclear weapons, the U.S.-imposed a trade embargo on Pakistan.

The Islamic Supreme Council of America (ISCA) and staff of The Muslim Magazine attended a press conference at the White House after the prime minister's initial meeting with the President. "We value our friendship with Pakistan very much, very much," said President Clinton. The U.S. he stated, has lifted some sanctions against Pakistan, "to try to get economic activity going on again." Clinton said, "And I hope we can discuss our common interest in fighting terrorism...." Regarding nuclear proliferation, President Clinton remarked, "All of you know of my concern to do everything we can to end the nuclear competition in South Asia."

The prime minister assured the press that Pakistan would be "very happy to extend all help and assistance to the U.S....especially on the issue of terrorism." This came in response to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's request that America wants a clean break in Pakistan's relations with the Taliban, as reported in The Washington Post.

The prime minister then proceeded to meetings with IMF and World Bank officials, followed by a private reception at the Washington Marriott Hotel. Sponsored by the American Pakistani Physicians of North America (APPNA), the Pak-American Congress and the Pakistan Muslim League, this event was the first of its kind, whereby a prime minister of Pakistan was received by private citizens of the community.

At the dinner ISCA staff presented The Muslim Magazine to His Excellency the Prime Minister, who graciously praised the quality of the journal. Other Pakistani dignitaries present included Minister of Information Mushahid Hussain, Foreign Minister Sartaz Aziz, and Ambassador Riaz Khokar.

The prime minister addressed the audience, comprised of local Pakistani physicians, businessmen and academia. Representative Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) flew in for the occasion to show her support as a representative of the House International Relations Committee, accompanied by a number of her Pakistani-American constituents. The Congresswoman agreed to be interviewed for an upcoming issue of The Muslim Magazine, expressing an interest in Islam and U.S. relations. Noticeably absent from the distinguished guest list were representatives from other Muslim organizations in America, both with Indo-Pakistani and Arab leadership.

On the second day of his visit, prime minister Sharif addressed an overflow crowd of journalists at the National Press Club. "The National Press Club is a widely respected institution," said the prime minister. "I have looked forward to this occasion because a free press is the flag-bearer of democracy."

The Pakistani leader mentioned his discussions with President Clinton about the deadly dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. "He is keen to get involved," Nawaz Sharif said in his address. He continued, "I do believe that President Clinton will take interest...to see that this matter is resolved." The prime minister warned that Kashmir remains a "nuclear flashpoint" between the South Asian rivals, which have fought two wars over this area. "Kashmir is now the gravest issue on the UN agenda," he said, adding, "the risk of a nuclear conflict is real."

He rejected Indian charges that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism by supporting Kashmiris.