Senator Warner visited Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday and Tuesday, meeting with U.S. Ambassador Ann Patterson and several top Pakistani government and military officials.  

The delegation discussed Pakistan’s political situation with Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani (pictured above in the AP photo of the meeting), and Senator Warner asked him to work with U.S. Embassy officials in Islamabad to ensure better coordination with the United States on issues of mutual importance. The group also met with President Asif Ali Zardari and got his candid views on ongoing Pakistani military operations in the Swat Valley.

Pakistan has undertaken its most concerted effort to roll back an expanding Taliban insurgency that has raised some concerns about the long-term stability of the important U.S. ally. The army late last month went into action against Taliban, launching full-scale offensive to root out the Taliban from their stronghold in nearby Swat.

Just this week, Pakistan issued a “dead or alive” list that placed a bounty on the heads of 21 top Taliban leaders The most-wanted chart, complete with mug shots, went to newspapers across the country. 

Senator Warner sent us a report and said one of the most interesting visits in Pakistan was with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Iftikhar Chaudhry:

“He is a man of tremendous courage who was forced into house arrest by the President Musharraf, and was freed after thousands of Pakistani's took to the streets during the historic 'lawyers' movement.'  We had an excellent discussion about the Taliban's implementation of Sharia law in some tribal areas and the Swat Valley.  The Chief Justice believes that, above all, many Pakistanis simply want a free and fair judicial system, and the right to have a speedy trail.”