The Pakistani prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has left for a week-long visit to the United States during which he'll discuss nuclear proliferation issues with President Clinton.

The meeting will be their first since Pakistan and India exploded nuclear devices in May, prompting economic sanctions by the United States.

Before leaving Pakistan, Mr Sharif said he also intended briefing Mr Clinton on the Kashmir dispute with India, which he said required greater international attention.

On his way to Washington, Mr Sharif will stop off in Norway, where he'll open a television station broadcasting programmes for the Pakistani community in Europe.