Islamabad, , June 30 : U. S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher, arrived in Pakistan on Monday .

Boucher met Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, and according to a press release told Boucher that his government had "adopted a three-pronged strategy to deal with terrorism by initiating political dialogue with those elements who have laid down arms and have joined mainstream political activity, accelerating the pace of economic development and reserving the right to use force if agreements are violated."

Gilani is due to go to Washington for talks with President George W. Bush next month.

Boucher also met Rehman Malik, the Prime Minister's Advisor on Interior Affairs.

According to U. S officials, Boucher's visit is a part of a series of visits to Islamabad.

During his four day visit, Boucher is expected to meet President Pervez Musharraf, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari, co-chairman of the ruling Pakistan's Peoples Party. (ANI)